The Ministry of Coal held a high-level stakeholder consultation on “Accelerating Domestic Coal Production in Light of Policy Reforms,” bringing together senior government leaders, industry experts, and private sector participants. The discussion focused on strategies to boost domestic coal production, speed up mine development, and strengthen India’s energy security.
Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, attended as the Chief Guest. Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, guided the discussions, highlighting the government’s reform-driven and inclusive approach. Senior ministry officials, industry representatives, and other stakeholders actively participated in the deliberations.
Addressing the gathering, Shri G. Kishan Reddy stressed that India must move beyond gradual reforms to achieve the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He reiterated the importance of the “Reform, Perform, Transform and Inform” approach and called for continuous improvements across the coal value chain, including exploration, auctions, clearances, operations, financing, and scientific mine closure. He emphasized removing bottlenecks to improve production, streamline supply, and ensure efficient mine lifecycle management.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of regular stakeholder consultations for gathering feedback and ensuring inclusive decision-making. He underlined the need to promote coal gasification using India’s vast coal reserves and noted that private sector participation in coal production is expected to grow significantly. He called for coordinated efforts and sustained policy support to accelerate coal production and enhance energy security.
In his opening remarks, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt stated that ongoing policy reforms have transformed the coal sector into a more transparent, competitive, and efficient ecosystem. He noted that these reforms have improved ease of doing business, strengthened regulatory clarity, and enabled faster sectoral growth, supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
He further highlighted key initiatives such as commercial coal mining, the Single Window Clearance System, and digital reforms, which have improved institutional frameworks, encouraged private investment, and accelerated mine operationalisation. These efforts, he said, are helping reduce import dependence and promote industry collaboration.
Smt. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, presented on policy reforms and domestic coal production. She noted that coal output from captive and commercial mines has crossed 200 million tonnes for the first time this financial year and has grown at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 30% between FY 2021 and FY 2025.
She also outlined several reforms aimed at speeding up mine operationalisation, including easing exploration processes, faster approval of mining plans, and simplifying environmental and forest clearances. The presentation also highlighted initiatives to promote underground coal mining through incentives, technology adoption, and improved efficiency for sustainable resource use.
The consultation included an interactive session where stakeholders shared insights on policy developments, operational challenges, and growth opportunities. The discussions emphasized the importance of stronger collaboration between the government and industry, adoption of innovative mining practices, and effective implementation of reforms.
Overall, the consultation served as a constructive platform to align efforts toward increasing domestic coal production, reducing import dependence, and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a modern, efficient, and sustainable coal sector capable of meeting India’s growing energy needs.
Source : PIB
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