Date: 2026-07-05Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah and Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy reviewed situation of illegal coal mining and coal theft
**Executive Summary**
On July 5, 2026, Union Ministers Amit Shah and G. Kishan Reddy reviewed the worsening illegal coal mining and theft situation in Dhanbad and surrounding areas. To address these challenges, the government approved the "Zero Coal Leakage Plan" and directed the immediate deployment of multi-layered security arrangements. Key action items include the integration of GST authorities for e-way bill verification and the formation of CISF Quick Response Teams to protect public resources.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Strategic Policy and Planning**
* Adoption of the “Zero Coal Leakage Plan” to provide a comprehensive, time-bound response to illegal mining and unauthorized transportation.
* Directing the Ministry of Coal to conduct regular reviews of enforcement actions taken against theft and illegal mining.
* The Coal Sector Coordination Committee, directed in December 2025, has been formally constituted to oversee operations.
* **Security and Enforcement Enhancements**
* Inclusion of the coal sector in the priority list for CISF deployment to ensure immediate presence in vulnerable zones.
* Formation of CISF Quick Response Teams (QRTs) and the establishment of multi-layered security arrangements.
* Authorization of CISF and Coal India Limited officials under the MMDR Act, 1957, to file court cases, enter premises, and conduct search and seizure operations for illegal minerals and equipment.
* **Technological and Inter-Departmental Monitoring**
* Effective use of technology, specifically high-resolution cameras at Integrated Command and Control Centres, to identify illegal mining areas and involved persons.
* Involvement of GST authorities in the coal supply chain to deter illegal transport.
* Implementation of a mandatory verification mechanism for e-way bills for all coal being transported to ensure consumers use legally mined coal.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)**
**Impact:** Required to re-prioritize the allocation of security resources.
**Action Required:** Include the coal sector in the priority list for CISF deployment and oversee the formation of specialized response units.
**Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)**
**Impact:** Granted expanded legal powers and increased operational responsibility in coal-producing regions.
**Action Required:** Establish Quick Response Teams and multi-layered security; exercise search and seizure powers rigorously in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.
**Ministry of Coal and Coal India Limited / BCCL**
**Impact:** Tasked with executing the "Zero Coal Leakage Plan" and monitoring the legality of coal extraction.
**Action Required:** Exercise powers under the MMDR Act to prosecute offenders and regularly review enforcement actions to ensure compliance.
**GST Authorities**
**Impact:** Integrated into the enforcement framework to prevent the movement of unauthorized minerals.
**Action Required:** Establish a mechanism to verify e-way bills for all coal transport to deter the movement of illegally mined coal.
Key Entities Referenced
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957: The primary legislation that empowers CISF and Coal India officials to conduct searches, seizures, and legal proceedings against illegal mining and theft.
Zero Coal Leakage Plan: A strategic initiative adopted to ensure a comprehensive and time-bound response to curb illegal coal mining and unauthorized transportation.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF): The security agency directed to deploy personnel, form Quick Response Teams, and establish multi-layered security arrangements in vulnerable coal sectors.
Coal Sector Coordination Committee: A high-level body constituted to streamline coordination between departments and oversee decisions related to curbing illegal mining.
Dhanbad: The primary geographic region identified as a critical area for immediate intervention due to worsening illegal coal mining and theft activities.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister and Minister of
Cooperation Shri Amit Shah and Minister for Coal
and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy reviewed
situation of illegal coal mining and coal theft
Home Minister expressed concern over worsening situation
of illegal coal mining and theft in Dhanbad and nearby areas
Shri Amit Shah appreciated steps taken so far by the Ministry
of Coal and CISF, also emphasised need to do much more to
curb menace of illegal mining
Decision taken for adoption of “Zero Coal Leakage Plan” to
ensure a comprehensive and time-bound response to illegal
mining and unauthorised transportation of coal
Ministry of Home Affairs directed to include coal sector in
priority list for CISF deployment
CISF should form Quick Response Teams and establish a
multi-layered security arrangement in vulnerable areas
Home Minister stressed need to use technology more
effectively
High-resolution cameras installed at Integrated Command
and Control Centres should be used to identify areas and
persons involved in illegal mining activities
Government remains committed to taking all necessary
measures to protect public resources, maintain law and order,
and safeguard interests of legitimate coal mining operations
Posted On: 05 JUL 2026 7:31PM by PIB DelhiUnion Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah and Minister for Coal and Mines Shri
G. Kishan Reddy reviewed situation of illegal coal mining and coal theft in a high-level meeting in New
Delhi. The meeting was attended by the Union Home Secretary, the Union Coal Secretary, senior officials
from the Ministry of Coal, CISF, Coal India Limited and BCCL.
During the meeting, the Home Minister expressed concern over the worsening situation of illegal coal
mining and theft in Dhanbad and nearby areas. Officials from the Ministry of Coal informed the Home
Minister that several concrete steps had been taken since the review held in the first week of October
2025. It was also informed that officials of CISF and Coal India Limited had been authorised to take
action under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. This authorisation legally
enables them to file cases in court, enter premises where illegal coal is suspected to be stored, conduct
search and seizure operations, and seize illegally extracted minerals along with the tools, equipment, and
vehicles used in such unauthorised activities. It was also informed that Union Home Secretary had chaired
a high-level meeting in December 2025 wherein several important decisions were taken including
direction to constitute a Coal Sector Coordination Committee which has since been constituted.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah appreciated the steps taken so far by
the Ministry of Coal and CISF. However, he emphasised that much more needs to be done to curb the
menace of illegal mining. Home Minister issued several important directions including adoption of “Zero
Coal Leakage Plan” to ensure a comprehensive and time-bound response to illegal mining and the
unauthorised transportation of coal. He noted that although powers had been entrusted to CISF and Coal
India Limited officials under the MMDR Act, these powers must be exercised rigorously and in a
coordinated manner, in line with the approved Standard Operating Procedure.
Shri Amit Shah also instructed the Ministry of Coal to review the action taken on a regular basis. To
ensure that consumers use only legally mined coal and to deter the transportation of illegal coal, it was
considered necessary to involve GST authorities. A mechanism should, therefore, be put in place to verify
e-way bills for all coal being transported.
Union Home Minster directed officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs to include coal sector in the
priority list for CISF deployment, so that personnel can be deployed immediately in vulnerable areas. He
further directed CISF to form Quick Response Teams and establish a multi-layered security arrangement
in vulnerable areas, enabling prompt action against illegal miners to take immediate action whenever
information is received.
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation also stressed the need to use technology more
effectively. He directed that high-resolution cameras installed at Integrated Command and Control Centres
should be used to identify areas and persons involved in illegal mining activities. Home Minister said that
the Government remains committed to taking all necessary measures to protect public resources, maintain
law and order, and safeguard the interests of legitimate coal mining operations.
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