The Centre is seeking to tighten transparency and accountability in West Bengal’s coal sector after Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy alleged that illegal mining operators and mafia networks had controlled parts of the state’s coal belt for years.
Reddy made the remarks in Kolkata on Monday while addressing an industrial roadshow organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India at the Angul Aluminium Park. He said the Centre’s reforms were intended to curb illegal activities and ensure that mining revenue reached government accounts.
“West Bengal’s coal sector was under the control of mafia and illegal mining operators for many years,” Reddy said, according to the report. He added that Coal India’s headquarters may be in Kolkata, but the conditions in the state’s coal belt were widely known.
The minister alleged that earlier administrations had failed to ensure accountability in the sector, describing the situation as “jungle raj”. He claimed that mining had taken place without legal permission, prescribed safety standards or adequate regulatory oversight.
Reddy also referred to the safety risks associated with unauthorised mining. According to his statement, electricity connections were used in illegal mining operations despite the absence of mining permits. He said accidents had occurred, people had died and responsibility had not been fixed.
The allegations place three linked issues at the centre of the coal-sector debate: whether mining operations are authorised, whether safety rules are enforced and whether the public exchequer receives the revenue generated from extraction. The minister said the Centre’s emphasis on transparent processes and stricter accountability was helping authorities act against illegal mining networks.
Reddy further claimed that coal-related revenue had previously failed to reach government accounts and had instead been diverted elsewhere. He said several illegal operators had moved away as a result of stronger procedures and that the state’s revenue from the sector would increase through greater transparency.
The statement does not provide details of the specific reforms, enforcement actions, revenue figures or accident investigations referred to by the minister. It also does not identify the alleged operators or mining sites. The claims were made during a public industry event and were attributed to Reddy.
The minister said he would meet West Bengal Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari to discuss the development of the coal and mining sectors in the state. That proposed meeting is expected to provide the next formal point of discussion on coordination between the Centre and the state government over mining regulation, enforcement and revenue collection.
