Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting on Reforms in the Coal Sector Held in New Delhi

The Ministry of Coal organized a high-level Stakeholders’ Consultation on Reforms in the Coal Sector today at the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi. The session was chaired by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, and witnessed the presence of Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey, Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt, senior officials from the Ministry, CMDs of coal and lignite PSUs, and representatives from the private sector.

The primary objective of the consultation was to engage key stakeholders across the coal ecosystem in meaningful dialogue on reform measures to strengthen domestic coal production, reduce import dependency, and improve the ease of doing business in the sector.

Transformation in the Coal Sector

Addressing the gathering, Minister G. Kishan Reddy emphasized the remarkable transformation the coal sector has witnessed over the last decade. From an era marked by opacity in coal block allocation, the country has shifted towards a regime characterized by transparency, efficiency, and accountability. He credited this transformation to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the enactment of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, along with a robust auction mechanism.

Highlighting key reforms undertaken since 2014, the Minister listed several landmark initiatives such as:

• Digital monitoring portals

• Quality control mechanisms

• Commercial coal auctions

• Single Window Clearance System

• Adoption of clean coal technologies, including coal gasification

He reiterated the Government’s commitment to achieving zero coal imports, scaling up coal gasification, and building a coal ecosystem that is transparent, efficient, and future-ready, aligned with the broader goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

Call for National Responsibility

Minister of State, Satish Chandra Dubey, underscored the critical role of coal in powering India’s growth. Emphasizing national interest, he called for collaborative, responsible action by all stakeholders to ensure that reform decisions align with the larger goal of nation-building. He praised the Ministry’s inclusive approach to reforms and urged continued cooperation.

Focus on Streamlining and Innovation

Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt highlighted the Ministry’s achievements while identifying areas needing further intervention—particularly in coal gasification technology. He shared that efforts are underway to:

• Enhance the efficiency and viability of coal gasification

• Strengthen coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for faster clearances

• Improve the Single Window Clearance System through the integration of new features for seamless approval processes

He noted that pending matters requiring state-level action have been escalated and will be formally presented to NITI Aayog for accelerated resolution.

Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Input

Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Rupinder Brar, welcomed stakeholder participation and reaffirmed the Ministry’s openness to all constructive suggestions. She stressed the importance of continuous engagement and encouraged ideas that could shape the sector’s sustainable future.

Participants from the private sector and PSUs shared valuable recommendations on:

• Simplifying clearances

• Incentivizing coal gasification

• Improving logistics infrastructure

• Leveraging digital technology

• Fostering ease of doing business

These insights will be evaluated by the Ministry to formulate future policy interventions, ensuring a resilient and growth-oriented coal sector.