Amit Shah reviews illegal coal mining, unveils ‘Zero Coal Leakage Plan’

Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Sunday reviewed the situation of illegal coal mining and coal theft at a high-level meeting and directed the adoption of a “Zero Coal Leakage Plan” to ensure a comprehensive and time-bound response to illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of coal.

The meeting, attended by Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, the Union Home Secretary, the Union Coal Secretary, and senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, CISF, Coal India Limited and Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), focused on the growing menace of illegal mining, particularly in Dhanbad and nearby areas.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shah expressed concern over the worsening situation of illegal coal mining and theft in Dhanbad and surrounding regions. Officials informed him that several measures had been taken since a review meeting held in October 2025, including authorising officials of the CISF and Coal India Limited under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to file cases, conduct search and seizure operations, enter premises suspected of storing illegally mined coal and seize illegally extracted minerals along with equipment and vehicles used in such activities.

The Home Minister appreciated the steps taken by the Ministry of Coal and the CISF but said much more needs to be done to curb illegal mining. He directed the adoption of the “Zero Coal Leakage Plan” and said the powers granted under the MMDR Act should be exercised rigorously and in a coordinated manner in accordance with the approved Standard Operating Procedure.

Shah also instructed the Ministry of Coal to regularly review the action taken against illegal mining. To ensure that consumers use only legally mined coal and to discourage the transportation of illegally mined coal, he directed that a mechanism be put in place to verify e-way bills for all coal consignments, involving GST authorities wherever necessary.

The Home Minister also directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to include the coal sector in the priority list for CISF deployment so that personnel can be stationed immediately in vulnerable areas. He asked the CISF to constitute Quick Response Teams and establish a multi-layered security arrangement to enable swift action whenever information about illegal mining is received.

Emphasising greater use of technology, Shah directed that high-resolution cameras installed at Integrated Command and Control Centres be used to identify locations and individuals involved in illegal mining activities.

The government, the ministry said, remains committed to taking all necessary measures to protect public resources, maintain law and order, and safeguard the interests of legitimate coal mining operations.