To effectively combat illegal coal mining in the country, the Centre has decided to add more teeth to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) by granting it powers to initiate legal proceedings, similar to those enforced by the Railway Protection Force (RPF), informed CISF director general Praveer Ranjan here on Thursday.
Currently, CISF’s role is limited to guarding 10 coal mines in the country, with enforcement authority resting solely with state mining officials and local police. The new powers will enable CISF to directly act against offenders, significantly tightening enforcement.
DG Ranjan, who is in Odisha to oversee preparations for CISF’s 57th Raising Day ceremony that will be attended by Union home minister Amit Shah at Munduli in Cuttack district on Friday, said the ministry of coal, in coordination with CISF, is drafting a comprehensive standard operating procedure (SOP) to enhance coal mine security nationwide.
“CISF and Coal India Limited (CIL) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration. Under this agreement, CISF will provide dedicated security to CIL’s mines, projects, and critical assets, while both organisations will jointly undertake training, capacity building, disaster management, and intelligence-sharing initiatives. This process is underway to grant CISF legal powers in the coal sector, similar to RPF’s railway jurisdiction. It will strengthen enforcement and reduce crime,” Ranjan said. He added that the govt has introduced necessary amendments in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) to empower the CISF with legal arms.
Mines officials noted that illegal coal mining poses serious risks to national resources, public safety, the environment, and lawful commercial operations. It causes revenue losses to the exchequer, undermines legitimate mining, endangers workers, and contributes to unregulated carbon emissions.
Despite deployment of CISF and other security forces, along with technology-driven monitoring systems such as integrated control and command centres (ICCC) and the Khanan Prarhari mobile app for public reporting, illegal mining continues unabated.
Illegal mining is currently prosecuted under the MMDR Act, which provides for imprisonment and monetary penalties. However, enforcement powers largely rest with state govt officers and local police. Stakeholders recently flagged gaps in deterrence and procedural limitations.
“In response, the ministry of coal recently initiated a comprehensive review of the legal, administrative, and technological framework. The aim is to revise powers for coal company officers and security personnel to more effectively curb illegal mining, transportation, trade, and storage of unlawfully extracted coal,” a mines official said.
