Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy (issues re: planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development, employment); Inclusive growth and issues therein
Context
Illegal coal mining is widespread in India and has led to numerous worker deaths.
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 26th July 2024
India’s illegal coal mining problem
Illegal coal mining in India poses a significant threat to worker safety and regulatory enforcement. Despite nationalisation efforts and stringent legislation, incidents of illegal mining continue to result in numerous fatalities, highlighting the underlying issues of weak regulations, economic desperation, and political collusion. The recent deaths in Surendranagar, Gujarat, and similar incidents across the country underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address this persistent problem.
Coal Mining in India
Nationalisation:
- Coking Coal: Nationalised in 1971-72, focusing on coal used in the steel industry.
- Non-Coking Coal: Nationalised in 1973, covering the rest of the coal mines.
Legislation:
- The Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973, governs coal mining eligibility in India. This central legislation aims to control coal mining operations and ensure resource management.
- State Responsibility: Illegal mining is considered a law and order issue, falling under the State List.
- Therefore, state governments are primarily responsible for addressing and controlling illegal mining activities.
Reasons for Rampant Illegal Coal Mining
- High Demand for Coal:
- Energy Needs: Coal accounts for 55% of India’s energy requirements, making it a critical resource.
- Power Demand: The high demand for power leads to increased coal demand, often outstripping legal supply and prompting illegal mining to meet the shortfall.
- Poverty and Unemployment:
- Many coal-rich areas are near impoverished populations struggling with poverty and unemployment, driving individuals to engage in illegal mining for livelihood.
- Low Operational Costs:
- Minimal operational costs and high potential profits make illegal mining a lucrative activity despite its dangers.
- Weak Regulations:
- Remote Areas: Inadequate monitoring and resources in remote areas lead to weak regulatory enforcement.
- Coal Mafias: Weak regulations and enforcement result in the rise of organized illegal mining operations, often referred to as “coal mafias.”
- Political Support:
- Political Collusion: Allegations of tacit support from political leaders in coal-rich areas complicate efforts to curb illegal mining.
- Example: The Assam Jatiya Parishad’s allegations against ruling party leaders in Assam and Meghalaya suggest political patronage of illegal mining operations.
Worker Fatalities in Illegal Mines
- Surface and Rat-Hole Mining: Illegal mining often uses unsafe methods like surface mining and rat-hole mining, lacking scientific methods and safety protocols.
- Lack of Safety Equipment: Absence of helmets, masks, and other safety gear increases risks for miners.
- Respiratory and Toxic Risks: Miners face increased respiratory issues due to coal dust and carbon monoxide poisoning. Hazardous working conditions also lead to cave-ins, landslides, and explosions.
- Lack of Support: Illegal mines often lack proper structural support, making them prone to accidents and exposing workers to toxic substances.
- Untrained Workforce: Workers are usually untrained and lack proper knowledge and emergency response skills, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Exploitation: Operator negligence and worker exploitation are rampant, contributing to unsafe working conditions and increased fatalities.
Government Initiatives
- Amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR) Act:
- The act was amended in 2015 to impose stricter penalties for illegal mining.
- Section 23C empowers state governments to frame rules to prevent illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals.
- Mining Surveillance System (MSS):
- This satellite-based system helps detect illegal mining activities beyond lease areas through the use of satellite imagery.
- State-Level Initiatives:
- Many states have established task forces to control illegal mining and review actions taken to check such activities.
- State governments have also framed rules to prevent illegal mining in line with Section 23C of the MMDR Act.
- Public Participation:
- The ‘Khanan Prahari’ app allows citizens to report illegal mining activities, fostering public participation in combating the issue.
Government Struggles in Controlling Illegal Mining
- Legal and Regulatory Challenges: The legal framework governing mining is complex, leading to bureaucratic hurdles and inefficiency in governance, allowing illegal mining to persist.
- Economic Dependence of Local Economies: Local economies in coal-rich areas depend heavily on mining. When official operations end, illegal mining often supports these communities.
- High Coal Demand: The high demand for coal as a fuel has existed since before nationalisation and continues, making it challenging to control illegal mining activities.
Way Forward
- Strengthening Regulations and Enforcement
- Enhanced Monitoring: Implement advanced monitoring technologies, such as satellite imagery and drones, to detect illegal mining activities promptly.
- Increased Resources: Allocate more resources to state enforcement agencies to ensure effective regulation and swift action against illegal mining.
- Stringent Penalties: Impose severe penalties for illegal mining activities to deter potential offenders and hold operators accountable.
- Economic Alternatives and Development
- Employment Programs: Develop and promote alternative livelihood programs in coal-rich regions to reduce economic dependency on illegal mining.
- Skill Development: Implement skill development initiatives to train local populations in alternative industries, enhancing their employability and economic prospects.
- Economic Diversification: Encourage economic diversification in coal-rich areas by investing in other sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and small-scale industries.
- Community Engagement and Awareness
- Local Involvement: Involve local communities in monitoring and reporting illegal mining activities to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility.
- Awareness Campaigns: Conduct awareness campaigns to educate communities about the dangers of illegal mining and the importance of legal, safe mining practices.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Foster collaboration between local governments, NGOs, and community leaders to create a unified front against illegal mining.
- Improving Mining Safety Standards
- Mandatory Safety Equipment: Enforce the use of essential safety equipment such as helmets, masks, and proper ventilation systems in all mining operations.
- Training Programs: Provide regular training programs for workers on safety protocols, emergency response, and best practices in mining.
- Infrastructure Investment: Invest in better infrastructure to support safe mining practices, including robust structural supports and proper waste management systems.
- Tackling Political and Corruption Issues
- Transparency Measures: Introduce transparency measures to ensure accountability and reduce the influence of political collusion in illegal mining.
- Anti-Corruption Initiatives: Strengthen anti-corruption initiatives within the mining sector to prevent the exploitation of legal loopholes by influential entities.
- Whistleblower Protection: Implement robust whistleblower protection mechanisms to encourage reporting of illegal activities without fear of retaliation.
- Legal and Policy Reforms
- Simplified Legal Framework: Simplify the legal framework governing mining to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and streamline enforcement procedures.
- Policy Updates: Regularly update mining policies to reflect current challenges and incorporate best practices from successful international models.
- Inter-State Cooperation: Foster cooperation between states to address cross-border illegal mining activities and share best practices for enforcement.
- Sustainable Mining Practices
- Promote Scientific Methods: Encourage the use of scientific and environmentally sustainable methods in legal mining operations to minimize environmental impact.
- Rehabilitation of Abandoned Mines: Prioritize the rehabilitation of abandoned mines to prevent them from becoming sites for illegal mining activities.
- Research and Development: Invest in research and development to innovate safer and more efficient mining techniques, reducing the reliance on hazardous methods.
Conclusion
Illegal coal mining in India remains a significant issue, leading to numerous worker fatalities and posing substantial regulatory and enforcement challenges. Despite nationalisation and legal frameworks, the high demand for coal, economic desperation, weak regulations, and political support contribute to the persistence of illegal mining activities. Efforts to curb illegal mining require comprehensive measures addressing economic, social, political, and regulatory factors.
References
PIB.
Related PYQ
“In spite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development”. Discuss. [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2017]
Practice Question
Discuss the socio-economic and regulatory challenges contributing to the prevalence of illegal coal mining in India. [250 words]