Parliament Question: RECLAIM framework for coal mine closure

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 387 ANSWERED ON- 30.03.2026 RECLAIM FRAMEWORK FOR COAL MINE CLOSURE *387 DR. FAUZIA KHAN: Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) the key findings and learnings from pilot projects under RECLAIM framework; (b) the status and timeline for rollout of the framework in major coal mining areas; and (c) the status of enforcement of grievance redressal mechanism to ensure inclusive social development of mining affected population and the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF COAL & MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY) (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House. ********STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (C) IN RESPECT OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 387 FOR REPLY ON 30.03. 2026 REGARDING ‘RECLAIM FRAMEWORK FOR COAL MINE CLOSURE’, ASKED BY DR. FAUZIA KHAN, HON’BLE MP. (a) & (b): ‘RECLAIM’ (An acronym for Reach Out, Envision, Co-create, Localise, Act, Integrate, Maintain) is a framework designed to enable active community engagement in de- coaled areas of the coal mines. This has been rolled out on 04.07.2025 by the Ministry of Coal. It supports coal companies in identifying the needs and aspirations of communities in and around closed or abandoned mines, so that these aspects can be incorporated into projects undertaken as part of mine closure and repurposing, wherever practicable. This framework is used to identify community development and livelihood-related projects for repurposing in mined-out land. RECLAIM Framework has already been piloted in seven coal mines, namely Dhanpuri Opencast (OC), Pinoura Underground (UG), Rajnagar OCP, South Balanda OC, Basundhara East, Datla OC, and Barkuhi OC, where suitable potential repurposing projects have been identified. To support large-scale adoption, Training of Trainers (ToT) programs have been conducted for 200 officials of public sector undertakings, equipping them with the necessary skills to implement the framework across their respective mining regions. (c): Recognising the importance of assessing socio-economic conditions and strengthening grievance redressal mechanisms for communities affected by mine closures, Coal India Limited and its subsidiary companies have engaged institutions such as IIT Kanpur, Indira Gandhi Tribal University, Amarkantak, IITTM, Gwalior, MPISSR, Ujjain, etc., for socio- economic assessments of mining-affected communities. ******