(a) the loss of coal on account of illegal mining and theft in various coal mines in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
(b) whether the Government proposes to increase security in mines where illegal mining and theft have been detected;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to detect and prevent illegal mining and theft in the coal mines of the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES.
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) As informed by Coal India Limited, theft / pilferage and illegal mining of coal is carried out stealthily and clandestinely. As such, it is not possible to specify the exact quantum of coal stolen and losses incurred on account of theft / pilferage and illegal mining of coal.
However, as per raids conducted by security personnel as well as joint raids with the law and order authorities of the concerned State Government, the quantity of coal recovered and its approximate value during the last three years and the current year are as under:
ILLEGAL MINING /THEFT PILFERAGE IN COAL MINES STATE-WISE
State 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 (upto Dec''16) (Provisional)
Qty. Recovered (te) Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh) Qty. Recovered (te) Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh) Qty. Recovered (te) Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh) Qty. Recovered (te) Approx. Value (Rs. Lakh)
West Bengal 2032.84 45.642 2443.81 52.872 5439.11 270.214 6952.28 343.165
Jharkhand 15734.05 593.148 17079.89 654.746 14928.95 668.6 12753.76 565.473
Chattisgarh 39 1.058 3 0.12 57.5 2.105 25 1.5
Maharashtra 61.81 0.935 133.36 2.79 53 1.12 130.8 3.28
Orissa 33.23 0.332 74.3 0.716 63.1 0.631 47.9 0.281
Assam 249.45 12.782 13.03 0.62 0 0 0 0
Madhya Pradesh 33.01 1.521 49.53 1.95 0 0 3 0.18
Coal India(State Wise) 18183.39 655.418 19796.92 713.814 20541.66 942.67 19912.74 913.879
(b) & (c) Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) sponsored ESM security agencies and Departmental security forces have been engaged in different mines of CIL to prevent pilferage and theft of coal. Further in some areas CISF security personnel have been deployed.
(d) Following steps taken to check such incidents in future:-
(i) Development of E-surveillance through use of Information Technology
• Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/ General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) for Vehicle Tracking
• Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV)
• Electronic Weigh Bridges
• Geo-fencing
(ii) Rat holes created by illegal mining are being dozed off and filled up with stone and debris wherever possible.
(iii) Concrete walls have been erected on the mouth of the abandoned mines to prevent access and illegal activities in these areas.
(iv) Regular raids/checks being conducted by security personnel and static security pickets including armed guards during the night hours are being deployed at pithead depots.
(v) Surprise raids/checks being conducted jointly by security personnel and law and order authorities of the concerned State Government.
(vi) Fencing is being constructed at the various illegal mining sites along with displaying of signboards mentioning “Dangerous and Prohibited Place.”
(vii) Dumping of the overburden is being done on the outcrop zones, which are not required to be mined.
(viii) Collection of intelligence reports about illegal coal depots and illegal movement of coal and informing district authorities of the same for taking preventive action.
(ix) Installation of check-posts at vulnerable points to check transport documents;
(x) Security at coal dumps are improved by wall fencing, proper illumination and round the clock guarding.
(xi) Regular patrolling is conducted in and around the mine including OB dumps.
(xii) Armed Guards have been deployed at Railway sidings.
(xiii) Joint patrolling with local police is also being carried out in areas..
(xiv) Escorting of coal rakes in coordination with RPF up to weighbridge, is arranged in pilferage prone areas.
(xv) Challans for coal transportation by trucks outside the district are being issued after fixing hologram and putting signatures of authorized officials of CISF to check pilferage.
(xvi) Regular FIRs are lodged by the Management of the collieries and CISF with local Thana against the pilferage/theft of coal. A close watch on the activities of criminals is being maintained by CISF.
(xvii) IT initiatives have been made operational to check theft/pilferage of coal.
(xviii) Inter-action and liaison with District officials at regular intervals and holding meeting with DC & District Administration.
*****