Parliament Question: Transparency in Coal Block Auction

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6181 ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026 TRANSPARENCY IN COAL BLOCK AUCTION

6181. DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) the manner in which the Government is ensuring transparency and efficiency in coal block auctions;

(b) the steps being taken by the Government to reduce coal transportation bottlenecks and improve supply chain efficiency; and

(c) the manner in which the labour disputes and working conditions in coal mines being addressed? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)

(a) Transparency and efficiency is institutionally embedded through a rule-based auction framework under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. Auctions are conducted entirely online through the secure online platform of MSTC Ltd., a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Steel, with clear eligibility criteria, predefined revenue-sharing bids, public disclosure of tender documents, and time-stamped bid submissions to limit discretion. Details of qualified bidders, auction outcomes, and allocations are placed in the public domain.

Provision exist for cancellation of coal blocks in cases of misrepresentation, and debarment from future auctions acts as a deterrent. Strengthening real-time scrutiny and enforcing penalties decisively are critical to ensuring that private participation in commercial coal mining remains competitive and transparent.

(b) The Ministry of Coal has undertaken a series of strategic, infrastructural, and technological measures to reduce coal transportation bottlenecks and enhance supply chain efficiency across the country. Key steps include:

• Rail Infrastructure Expansion in coordination with the Ministry of Railways, to ensure

seamless future coal movement: • First Mile Connectivity (FMC) Projects to enable faster, environment-friendly, and cost-effective transportation by reducing dependence on road transport.

Page 1 of 2• Increased use of coastal shipping and inland waterways is being promoted to diversify transportation modes and reduce pressure on rail networks. • The Ministry of Coal has launched the Koyla Shakti dashboard on 29.10.2025, a centralised digital platform for real-time tracking, improved coordination, and efficient decision-making in coal movement.

(c) Labour disputes and working conditions in coal mines are addressed through a combination of statutory frameworks and institutional mechanisms. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, complemented by structured bipartite and tripartite consultative mechanisms are being followed including conciliation proceedings through designated authorities, adjudication by Labour Courts/Industrial Tribunals, and regular engagement with trade unions through Joint Consultative Committees at various levels.

Working conditions, safety and welfare are regulated under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 and the Social Security Code, 2020, which mandate standards relating to occupational safety, health surveillance, welfare amenities and social security benefits for mine workers. Safety and working conditions are continuously monitored through statutory safety committees, welfare boards and periodic meetings between management and workers’ representatives. Further, safety and occupational health standards are enforced by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) through inspections, compliance monitoring and enforcement of statutory provisions under the Mines Act, 1952 and the Coal Mines Regulations, 2017.

Thus, a comprehensive and multi-tiered framework exists to ensure effective resolution of labour disputes and maintenance of safe and humane working conditions in coal mines across the country. ***** Page 2 of 2