TFP Bureau, New Delhi, November 13, 2025 — A day-long half-yearly review meeting of the Ministry of Coal was held in the national capital today, chaired by Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy and co-chaired by Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey. The marathon session brought together senior officials, including Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt, Additional Secretaries Rupinder Brar and Sanoj Kumar Jha, and the CMDs of Coal India Limited (CIL) subsidiaries, NLC India Limited (NLCIL), and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).
In his keynote address, Shri Reddy commended the Ministry and its public sector undertakings (PSUs) for their consistent contribution to India’s energy security and their ability to maintain steady coal production despite operational challenges and heavy monsoons. He urged PSUs to sustain production growth over last year and to meet the annual target through coordinated and focused efforts. Emphasizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guiding principle of “Reform, Perform, Transform, and Inform,” the Minister directed each PSU to prepare specific action plans centered on reform, efficiency, and innovation.
The Minister highlighted modernization initiatives such as the Integrated Coal Command and Control Centre (ICCC), calling for measurable outcomes and tangible progress. He encouraged healthy competition among PSUs in production, profitability, environmental performance, and workers’ welfare.
Commending Coal India Limited’s decision to provide an additional personal accident insurance cover of ₹1 crore to its regular employees, Shri Reddy said that while the financial cost to the company is minimal, the impact on employee morale and social security is substantial. He urged other PSUs to adopt similar welfare initiatives, emphasizing that small steps can make a large difference in workers’ lives.
Focusing on exploration and sustainability, Shri Reddy called on PSUs to intensify overburden testing and sampling for Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and critical minerals, vital for India’s mineral security. He stressed the need for stronger coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to ensure timely environmental clearances and directed that coal washeries be developed on priority to improve quality and reduce import dependency.
The Minister also suggested exploring outsourcing models and external funding opportunities for washeries, as private investors have shown interest in participating in the sector. He further directed the establishment of dedicated Mine Closure Cells to ensure the timely closure of 340 de-coaled mines.
Recognizing the social responsibility of coal PSUs, Shri Reddy proposed that they support UPSC aspirants who clear the preliminary examination under their CSR initiatives, following SCCL’s example. He emphasized the need to strengthen financial performance, enhance profitability, and ensure that both pre- and post-tax indicators surpass last year’s achievements.
Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt, in his address, highlighted the sector’s resilience and stability. He said that production and dispatch levels remain robust, with sufficient stock to ensure uninterrupted power supply across the nation. “This year, India has witnessed no power shortages, a clear sign of the sector’s efficiency and commitment to energy security,” he stated. He underscored that every reform is being steered with the vision of a self-reliant and sustainable “Viksit Bharat,” and that environmental and social responsibility remain central to all initiatives.
The CMDs of CIL subsidiaries and other PSUs presented detailed reports on performance indicators including coal production, mine safety, land reclamation, CSR initiatives, and digital transformation. The meeting also focused on aligning outreach strategies with the national communication framework for clear and people-centric messaging.
Union Minister Shri Reddy also released the Coal Directory of India 2024–25, a comprehensive publication detailing coal reserves, production trends, imports, exports, and global comparisons. The directory is expected to serve as a key resource for policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders.
The meeting concluded with acknowledgments for exemplary performance under the government’s Special Campaign 5.0and Swachhta Pakhwada. SECL, CCL, NLCIL, MCL, and SCCL were commended for excellence in scrap disposal, digital file management, and cleanliness drives.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to a sustainable and self-reliant coal sector, Shri Reddy said the Ministry will continue to prioritize efficiency, innovation, safety, and transparency as it leads India’s journey toward energy independence and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
