Context:
On July 13, three workers lost their lives due to asphyxiation in an unauthorized coal mine located in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district. According to officials, these workers were operating in a mine near Bhet village in Thangadh taluka without helmets, masks, or any other safety gear. The first information report (FIR) mentioned that the responsible parties neglected to provide essential protective equipment, leading to the workers’ deaths from inhaling toxic gases in the mine. The police have filed charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against four individuals.
Relevance:
GS1- Mineral and Energy Resources
Mains Question:
How prevalent is illegal coal mining in India and what are the legal frameworks dealing with it? What factors contribute to the persistence of illegal coal mining despite these frameworks and what can be done to minimise it? (15 Marks, 250 Words).
Similar Incidents:
- The incident in Surendranagar is not unique. In June 2023, three people, including a ten-year-old child, reportedly died when an illegal mine collapsed in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand.
- Similarly, in October 2023, at least three people were killed when a coal mine collapsed during illegal mining activities in West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman district.
- These cases highlight the dangers of illegal coal mining in India.
Evolution of Coal Mining in India:
- Coal mining in India was nationalized in two stages: first, with coking coal (used for making coke in the steel industry) in 1971-72, and then with non-coking coal mines in 1973.
- The Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973, is the key legislation regulating coal mining eligibility in India.
- Illegal mining presents a law and order issue, which is under the jurisdiction of the State governments rather than the Union government.
Why is illegal coal mining widespread in India?
- According to the Ministry of Coal, illegal mining in India primarily occurs in abandoned mines or shallow coal seams located in remote or isolated areas.
- Several factors contribute to the prevalence of illegal coal mining in the country.
- Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in India, providing 55% of the nation’s energy needs. The high demand for electricity often exceeds the legal coal supply, leading to illegal mining operations.
- Many coal-rich regions are also near communities facing poverty and unemployment, which drives illegal mining activities.
- In remote regions, weak enforcement of mining regulations is common due to inadequate monitoring and lack of resources, allowing “coal mafias” to thrive.
- For instance, in 2018, activist Marshall Biam from the North East Indigenous People’s Federation filed a complaint accusing a “police-backed” coal gang of threatening him. Coal-rich Meghalaya has experienced several mining tragedies.
- Illegal coal mining is often reportedly supported by political leaders in areas where it is common, making it difficult to control. In 2023, the an Assam-based political party submitted petitions to various authorities, including the President and the Prime Minister, alleging that some leaders of a national party are involved in illegal coal mining in the state.
- They claimed that illegal rat-hole mining persists in Assam, Meghalaya, and other northeastern states with the alleged backing of BJP leaders and officials, despite a blanket ban by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2014.
- Illegal mining often uses simple techniques like surface mining and rat-hole mining instead of the scientific methods required for legal, large-scale operations.
- In areas where coal seams are near the surface, illegal miners access them with minimal safety equipment. The low operational costs can lead to significant profits, making illegal mining attractive.
Why Do Many Workers Die in Illegal Coal Mines?
- The main reason for fatalities in illegal coal mining is the absence of safety equipment and protocols. Miners are at higher risk of respiratory issues due to inhaling coal dust, and the lack of safety gear significantly exacerbates this risk.
- In the Surendranagar incident, the miners died from carbon monoxide poisoning. District Collector K.C. Sampat noted that although 2,100 wells had been filled recently, some may have been illegally reopened, leading to the incident.
- Illegal mines often lack proper structural support, making them dangerous and prone to cave-ins, landslides, and explosions.
- Workers may also be exposed to high levels of toxic substances like lead and mercury, which can cause acute poisoning or long-term chronic health issues.
- Many people working in illegal coal mines are untrained and unaware of the job’s risks. There is a lack of proper training, quick response facilities, and emergency knowledge.
- Operator negligence and worker exploitation are also common in illegal coal mining.
Why do Governments Struggle to Reduce Illegal Coal Mining in India?
- Illegal coal mining has been a topic of discussion in Parliament, but since it’s considered a law and order issue, the Union government often shifts responsibility to State authorities.
- A combination of economic, social, political, and regulatory factors makes it difficult for governments to eliminate illegal coal mining in India.
- Illegal coal mining is not a new phenomenon; it has existed since before coal was nationalized and continues in coal-rich areas or near abandoned mines.
Conclusion:
The high demand for coal as a fuel makes illegal mining widespread and hard to control. In many areas, local economies depend on mining, and once official operations cease, illegal mining takes over to support the community. The legal framework for mining is complex, potentially leading to bureaucratic hurdles and inefficiency in governance, allowing illegal mining to persist.
