(a) whether a large number of cases of theft of coal worth
crores of rupees in coal belt of Western Coal Mines have
been brought to the notice of the Government recently;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the action
taken/proposed to be taken against those involved in
clandestine operation; and
(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to check smuggling
and massive theft of coal in Western Coalfields Limited?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES & MINERALS
(SMT. RITA VERMA)
(a) & (b): As per information received from Coal India
Limited (CIL), there was no loss due to pilferage of coal
during 1997-98 and 1998-99 in Western Coalfields Limited
(WCL), a subsidiary of CIL. However, a small quantity of 13
tonnes of coal amounting to Rs. 11,000 was lost due to
pilferage in WCL in 1999-2000. The company lodged a First
Information Report in this case with the Police Station,
Wani on 16.1.2000. After police investigation, two persons
were reportedly arrested by the police. The company
management have blacklisted the truck involved in this case
along with its driver from entering the Wani (North) Area.
Moreover, the trucks of a coal transporter have also been
stopped from entering the area. The services of private
security guard who was found to have connived with this
theft case, have been terminated.
(c): The following steps are being taken continuously by the
WCL to guard against theft of coal:-
i) At entry/exit points of all coal mines, check posts
have been established which check all coal laden
vehicles.
ii) Coal stock locations are guarded by security staff
round the clock.
iii) Patrolling is done by the security staff round the
clock.
iv) Liaison with local police at area level is done to
check coal theft and maintain vigil in the area.
v) Joint patrolling with local police is carried out.
vi) Surprise checks/raids by the flying squad of the
company are carried out.
vii) Surprise re-weighment of coal laden trucks at
weighbridges is done.
viii) Coal sidings, weigh-bridges, check posts are being
provided with mobile wireless sets, for effective
communication to prevent coal thefts.
ix) All weigh-bridges are being converted into electronic
weigh-bridges.
x) Escorting coal rakes in coordination with Railway
Protection Force is being done till weighment is being
organised.
xi) In cases of coal thefts, First Information Reports are
lodged with the local police and followed up for recovery of
the stolen coal.