WHAT IS THE ISSUE?

• Historical Context:
  • Coal nationalized in 1971-73.
  • Governed by the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973.
  • Illegal mining is a State responsibility due to its classification as a law and order issue.

WHY IS ILLEGAL COAL MINING RAMPANT IN INDIA?

• Prevalence:
  • Occurs in abandoned mines or shallow seams in remote areas.
• Demand and Supply:
  • High demand for coal due to its role in India’s energy sector (55% of energy needs).
  • Illegal mining fills gaps when legal supply is insufficient.
• Economic Factors:
  • Coal-rich areas are often economically poor, contributing to illegal mining.
  • Remote areas suffer from weak regulation and monitoring.
• Social and Political Factors:
  • Allegations of support from political leaders, e.g., BJP leaders in Assam and Meghalaya.
  • Allegations of police-backed coal mafias.
• Mining Techniques:
  • Use of rudimentary methods like surface and rat-hole mining.
  • Minimal operational costs lead to high profitability.

WHY DO SO MANY WORKERS DIE IN ILLEGAL COAL MINES?

• Lack of Safety:
  • Absence of safety equipment and protocols.
  • Risks include respiratory issues, carbon monoxide poisoning, and toxic substance exposure.
• Hazardous Conditions:
  • Poor structural support leads to cave-ins, landslides, and explosions.
• Training and Knowledge:
  • Workers often lack training and emergency response knowledge.
• Negligence and Exploitation:
  • High levels of operator negligence and exploitation of workers.

WHY DO GOVERNMENTS STRUGGLE TO CUT DOWN ILLEGAL COAL MINING IN INDIA?

• Jurisdictional Issues:
  • Union government shifts responsibility to State authorities.
• Economic Dependence:
  • Local economies rely on illegal mining when official operations cease.
• Legal and Regulatory Complexity:
  • Complex legal framework leads to bureaucratic inefficiencies.
  • Ineffective governance allows illegal mining to persist.