THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, MARCH 17, 2026
Emphasizing the need
to move beyond incremental changes, Union Minister of Coal & Mines G.
Kishan Reddy on Tuesday called for sweeping reforms across the coal sector to
fast-track domestic production and strengthen India’s energy security.
Addressing a
high-level stakeholder consultation on “Accelerating Domestic Coal Production
in Light of Policy Reforms,” the Minister highlighted the guiding mantra of
“Reform, Perform, Transform and Inform,” underscoring the importance of
comprehensive changes across the coal value chain — from exploration and
auctions to clearances, operations, financing, and scientific mine closure. He
stressed that bottlenecks must be systematically removed to enhance production,
improve supply efficiency, and ensure seamless functioning from mine
development to closure.
The Minister also
underscored the significance of regular stakeholder consultations as a key
platform for incorporating industry feedback, assuring that the government
remains committed to a responsive and inclusive approach. Highlighting the
potential of coal gasification, he pointed to India’s vast coal reserves and
noted that private sector participation in coal production is set to rise
significantly in the coming years. Reaffirming the government’s focus on energy
security, he called for coordinated efforts and sustained policy support to
accelerate output.
The consultation,
organized by the Ministry of Coal, brought together senior government
officials, industry experts, and key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies
for enhancing domestic coal production and expediting mine development and
operationalisation.
In his opening
remarks, Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, stated that sustained
policy-driven reforms are transforming the sector into a more transparent,
competitive, and efficient ecosystem as India advances towards the vision of
Viksit Bharat 2047. He noted that these reforms have improved ease of doing
business, strengthened regulatory clarity, and created a conducive environment
for growth.
He highlighted
landmark initiatives such as commercial coal mining, the Single Window
Clearance System, and digital reforms, which have played a crucial role in
accelerating mine operationalisation, encouraging private participation, and
improving resource efficiency. These measures, he said, are helping reduce
import dependence and foster stronger industry collaboration in line with the
vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Rupinder Brar,
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, presented key insights on policy
reforms and production trends, noting that coal output from captive and
commercial mines has crossed 200 million tonnes for the first time in the
current financial year. She also pointed out that production from these mines
has grown at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 30 percent between FY 2021
and FY 2025.
Brar detailed a
series of reforms aimed at expediting mine operationalisation, including easing
exploration and geological report preparation, faster approval of mining plans,
and simplified environmental and forest clearances. She also emphasized the
push for underground coal mining through incentivisation, advanced
technologies, and improved operational efficiency to ensure sustainable
utilisation of resources.
The consultation concluded with an interactive session, where stakeholders exchanged views on policy frameworks, operational challenges, and opportunities. The discussions highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration between government and industry, innovation in mining practices, and effective implementation of reforms to drive long-term growth.
The deliberations reinforced the government’s commitment to building a modern, efficient, and future-ready coal sector capable of meeting India’s rising energy needs while reducing import dependence and promoting sustainable mining practices.
