Parliament Question: Gender justice in climate reform

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2590 ANSWERED ON- 16.03.2026 GENDER JUSTICE IN CLIMATE REFORM 2590 SMT. PRIYANKA CHATURVEDI: Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) whether women in coal belts - such as the States of Jharkhand Chhattisgarh, Odisha - face disproportionate health impacts (respiratory diseases, contamination), livelihood losses from mechanisation, displacement; (b) whether just transition policies include gender-specific provisions - alternative employment, skilling, health support and land rights protection; (c) consultation mechanisms, if any, with women communities before mine approvals, closures and renewable transitions; (d) compensation given for the last five years to women affected - widows, informal workers, displaced families; and (e) whether climate reform recognizes women's unpaid care burden increases when environmental degradation worsens water, fuel and wood scarcity? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL & MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY) (a): The health check-up of all employees, including women, is done periodically as per extant rules. Though no study has been undertaken by Coal PSUs to quantify the impact on the health and livelihood of women in coal belts, it is to mention that Project Affected Families are provided all benefits as per norms without any gender discrimination. (b) & (e): The "Guidelines for preparation of Mining Plan and Mine Closure Plan for Coal and Lignite Mines, 2025", issued by the Ministry of Coal, include just transformation, people & communities and broadly cover the welfare of affected communities. Though gender-specific provisions are not explicitly provided in the guidelines, policies and initiatives are aimed at ensuring a “Just Transition” in coal-bearing regions for inclusive and equitable socio-economic development of local communities, including women. Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries implement various gender-responsive interventions through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and community development programmes in mining areas. These include skill development and vocational training programmes for women to promote alternative livelihood opportunities, support to women Self Help Groups (SHGs) and entrepreneurship, and healthcare interventions such as health camps and maternal and child health services.Further, initiatives relating to drinking water supply, sanitation, education and community infrastructure development are undertaken in mining-affected areas, which contribute to improving the socio-economic conditions and well-being of women and their families. (c): Consultation with affected communities, including women, is ensured through statutory and institutional mechanisms: 1. Public Consultation (Environment Clearance): Mandatory public hearings under the EIA Notification, 2006 are conducted before grant of environmental clearance for new and expansion mines. Women stakeholders are encouraged to participate. Concerns of villagers are addressed in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP). 2. Gram Sabha (Forest Clearance): Consent of Gram Sabha under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, ensures women’s participation in decisions on forest land diversion. 3. Advisory Committees (Mine Closure): It has been mandated to constitute district- level mine closure advisory committees, a large number of which has already been constituted. The committee includes representatives from local administration, mine officials, and community stakeholders, ensuring women’s perspectives are integrated into the closure strategies. (d): The compensation against land and assets given by Coal India Limited during the past 5 years to project-affected families (including women) is Rs. 3913.49 crore. *****