Review of Illegal Coal Mining and Coal Theft

Why in news

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah and Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy reviewed the situation of illegal coal mining and coal theft, particularly in Dhanbad and nearby areas, and decided to adopt a 'Zero Coal Leakage Plan'.

Exam relevance

GS3 · Economy, Internal Security, Governance · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah and Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy reviewed the situation of illegal coal mining and coal theft.
2. Concern was expressed over the worsening situation of illegal coal mining and theft in Dhanbad and nearby areas.
3. A 'Zero Coal Leakage Plan' has been decided upon to curb illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of coal.
4. The Ministry of Home Affairs directed the inclusion of the coal sector in the priority list for CISF deployment.
5. CISF is to form Quick Response Teams and establish multi-layered security in vulnerable areas.
6. The use of high-resolution cameras at Integrated Command and Control Centres for identifying those involved in illegal mining was emphasized.

Prelims pointers

• The 'Zero Coal Leakage Plan' is a new initiative to combat illegal coal mining.
• CISF deployment is being prioritized for the coal sector.
• Technology, including high-resolution cameras, will be used to monitor and identify illegal mining activities.

Mains practice question

Discuss the multifaceted challenges posed by illegal coal mining and theft in India and critically evaluate the effectiveness of the recently proposed 'Zero Coal Leakage Plan' and enhanced security measures in addressing this menace.

Static linkage

Illegal mining and coal theft represent a significant economic and security challenge, impacting revenue generation, environmental sustainability, and the safety of mining operations. The deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is a measure to enhance security at critical infrastructure and industrial sectors.

Significance

The review highlights the government's focus on addressing illegal mining, which results in substantial economic losses and environmental degradation. The 'Zero Coal Leakage Plan' and enhanced CISF deployment aim to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve security infrastructure, and leverage technology to prevent illicit activities in the coal sector. This is crucial for ensuring resource security, maintaining law and order, and protecting the interests of legitimate mining operations.