Ensuring Transparency in Coal Production and Distribution

27 Mar 2025 CW Team

CIL and SCCL follow the guidelines set by the Ministry of Coal to ensure transparent coal distribution. The key policies governing coal allocation include the New Coal Distribution Policy (NCDP), Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India (SHAKTI), Linkage Auction Policy for Non-Regulated Sector (NRS), Bridge Linkage Policy, Single Window Mode Agnostic Auctions, and Linkage Rationalisation. These policies are periodically reviewed and updated. Coal supply to consumers is governed by Fuel Supply Agreements (FSA) between coal companies and buyers.

Sustainability and environmental measures

To promote environmentally responsible mining, various initiatives have been undertaken, including large-scale plantation and bio-reclamation, mine water utilisation for community use, development of eco-parks, and implementation of energy efficiency measures.

Under the Coal Block Development and Production Agreement for commercial mining, successful bidders are mandated to use mechanised coal extraction, transport, and evacuation technologies to minimise carbon footprints. They must also implement pollution control measures and adopt sustainable mining practices.

Carbon emission reduction efforts

Coal companies are actively working to reduce carbon emissions through:

Carbon sink creation via large-scale plantations.
Land restoration of degraded mining areas.
Adoption of clean coal technologies, including Coal Bed Methane (CBM) extraction and coal gasification.
Minimising road transportation and increasing mechanised coal loading and First Mile Connectivity projects.
Implementation of energy efficiency measures.
Investment in renewable energy projects such as solar, wind, pumped storage, and geothermal energy.

As of now, 28 captive and commercial private coal mines allocated by the Ministry of Coal have received Mine Opening Permission, with 26 mines already in production.

Healthcare for coal industry workers

CIL and SCCL provide medical treatment facilities for employees and their families through company-operated hospitals and dispensaries. Employees requiring specialised treatment are referred to empaneled hospitals across India. Contract workers engaged in CIL subsidiaries also have access to indoor and outpatient facilities at company hospitals.

In SCCL, retired employees and their spouses can enrol in the Contributory Post-Retirement Medicare Scheme, which offers cashless treatment at empaneled hospitals upon payment of a stipulated membership fee. However, there is no dedicated health insurance scheme for coal mine workers of CIL and SCCL at present.

Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, shared these updates in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

(PIB)

The Government of India has implemented several measures to enhance transparency in coal production and distribution. Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) have adopted advanced Information Technology (IT) systems, including Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), for real-time reporting of coal production. CIL and SCCL follow the guidelines set by the Ministry of Coal to ensure transparent coal distribution. The key policies governing coal allocation include the New Coal Distribution Policy (NCDP), Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India (SHAKTI), Linkage Auction Policy for Non-Regulated Sector (NRS), Bridge Linkage Policy, Single Window Mode Agnostic Auctions, and Linkage Rationalisation. These policies are periodically reviewed and updated. Coal supply to consumers is governed by Fuel Supply Agreements (FSA) between coal companies and buyers. Sustainability and environmental measures To promote environmentally responsible mining, various initiatives have been undertaken, including large-scale plantation and bio-reclamation, mine water utilisation for community use, development of eco-parks, and implementation of energy efficiency measures. Under the Coal Block Development and Production Agreement for commercial mining, successful bidders are mandated to use mechanised coal extraction, transport, and evacuation technologies to minimise carbon footprints. They must also implement pollution control measures and adopt sustainable mining practices. Carbon emission reduction efforts Coal companies are actively working to reduce carbon emissions through: Carbon sink creation via large-scale plantations. Land restoration of degraded mining areas. Adoption of clean coal technologies, including Coal Bed Methane (CBM) extraction and coal gasification. Minimising road transportation and increasing mechanised coal loading and First Mile Connectivity projects. Implementation of energy efficiency measures. Investment in renewable energy projects such as solar, wind, pumped storage, and geothermal energy. As of now, 28 captive and commercial private coal mines allocated by the Ministry of Coal have received Mine Opening Permission, with 26 mines already in production. Healthcare for coal industry workers CIL and SCCL provide medical treatment facilities for employees and their families through company-operated hospitals and dispensaries. Employees requiring specialised treatment are referred to empaneled hospitals across India. Contract workers engaged in CIL subsidiaries also have access to indoor and outpatient facilities at company hospitals. In SCCL, retired employees and their spouses can enrol in the Contributory Post-Retirement Medicare Scheme, which offers cashless treatment at empaneled hospitals upon payment of a stipulated membership fee. However, there is no dedicated health insurance scheme for coal mine workers of CIL and SCCL at present. Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, shared these updates in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. (PIB)

Infrastructure Transport

07 Apr 2026

Large Format Store Planned At M G Road Metro Station

M G Road station in Bengaluru is set to host the city’s first large-format commercial and experience space, with planning led by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited. BMRCL has invited proposals to develop and operate a central business district destination at the Purple?Pink Line interchange. The plan positions the station as a commercial hub designed to serve a broad commuter base across the city. The proposal is part of a broader effort to activate transit nodes commercially. Tender documents set a minimum monthly rental of Rs 0.944 million (mn), inclusive of GST, for the large-format..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Government Cancels Auction Of Eleven Critical Mineral Blocks

The government has cancelled the auction of 11 critical and strategic mineral blocks after receiving a poor investor response and failing to attract a sufficient number of qualified bidders. The decision represents a setback to plans to ramp up domestic exploration and production of critical minerals amid global supply chain disruptions and rising demand for materials used in clean energy and advanced technologies. The mines ministry issued an annulment notice setting out the reasons for the cancellations. The annulment notice indicated that the auction process for five mineral blocks was canc..

Infrastructure Energy

07 Apr 2026

Gujarat Pushes Biogas Growth With 193 Operational Units

Gujarat has operationalised 193 biogas plants across the state and is planning to add 60 more units as part of a broader push to scale up clean and sustainable energy solutions. The existing plants, established under various government-supported schemes, process organic waste including cattle dung and agricultural residue to produce biogas and a nutrient-rich slurry. The output is mainly used for cooking and other energy needs in rural and semi-urban communities, while also improving local waste management practices. The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) is leading the initiative and is..