Amit Shah and G. Kishan Reddy review situation of illegal coal mining and coal theft

📌 Summary:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Coal & Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy held a high-level review of illegal coal mining and coal theft, with Home/Coal Secretaries, CISF, Coal India Ltd (CIL) and BCCL; concern flagged over the worsening situation in Dhanbad and nearby areas

• "Zero Coal Leakage Plan" adopted — a comprehensive, time-bound response to illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of coal

• CISF and CIL officials have been authorised under the MMDR Act, 1957 to file court cases, enter premises, conduct search-and-seizure, and seize illegal minerals plus tools/vehicles — powers to be used rigorously per approved SOP

• Coal sector to be included in the priority list for CISF deployment; CISF to form Quick Response Teams and multi-layered security in vulnerable areas

• GST authorities to be involved: mechanism to verify e-way bills for all coal transport to deter movement of illegal coal

• Technology push: high-resolution cameras at Integrated Command and Control Centres to identify areas/persons involved; a Coal Sector Coordination Committee has been constituted (following December 2025 decisions)

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Internal Security/Economy — organized crime around natural resources, security of public assets; GS2 Governance — inter-ministerial coordination, technology in enforcement

📝 Prelims Facts:

• MMDR Act, 1957 governs mines and minerals development and regulation; CISF/CIL officials now empowered under it
• Zero Coal Leakage Plan announced July 2026
• e-way bill (GST) verification to track coal transport

🔑 Key Term: Zero Coal Leakage Plan — time-bound framework to eliminate illegal coal mining and unauthorised coal transportation