Historical and Background of Coal Mining in India

Historical and Background of Coal Mining in India

India has a long history of commercial coal mining covering nearly 220 years starting from 1774 by M/s Sumner and Heatly of East India Company in the Raniganj Coalfield along the Western bank of river Damodar. However, for about a century the growth of Indian coal mining remained sluggish for want of demand but the introduction of steam locomotives in 1853 gave a fillip to it. Within a short span, production rose to an annual average of 1 million tonne (mt) and India could produce 6.12 mts. per year by 1900 and 18 mts per year by 1920. The production got a sudden boost from the First World War but went through a slump in the early thirties. The production reached a level of 29 mts. by 1942 and 30 mts. by 1946.

With the advent of Independence, the country embarked upon the 5-year development plans. At the beginning of the 1st Plan, annual production went upto 33 mts. During the 1st Plan period itself, the need for increasing coal production efficiently by systematic and scientific development of the coal industry was being felt. Setting up of the National Coal Development Corporation (NCDC), a Government of India Undertaking in 1956 with the collieries owned by the railways as its nucleus was the first major step towards planned development of Indian Coal Industry. Along with the Singareni Collieries Company Ltd. (SCCL) which was already in operation since 1945 and which became a Government company under the control of Government of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, India thus had two Government coal companies in the fifties. SCCL is now a joint undertaking of the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Government of India sharing its equity in 51:49 ratio.

Nationalisation  of Coal mines

Right from its genesis, the commercial coal mining in modern times in India has been dictated by the needs of domestic consumption. On account of the growing needs of the steel industry, a thrust had to be given on systematic exploitation of coking coal reserves in Jharia Coalfield. Adequate capital investment to meet the burgeoning energy needs of the country was not forthcoming from the private coal mine owners. Unscientific mining practices adopted by some of them and poor working conditions of labour in some of the private coal mines became matters of concern for the Government. On account of these reasons, the Central Government took a 

decision to nationalise the private coal mines. The nationalisation was done in two phases, the first with the coking coal mines in 1971-72 and then with the non-coking coal mines in 1973. In October, 1971, the Coking Coal Mines (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1971 provided for taking over in public interest of the management of coking coal mines and coke oven plants pending nationalisation. This was followed by the Coking Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1972 under which the coking coal mines and the coke oven plants other than those with the Tata Iron & Steel Company Limited and Indian Iron & Steel Company Limited, were nationalised on 1.5.1972 and brought under the Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), a new Central Government Undertaking. Another enactment, namely the Coal Mines (Taking Over of Management) Act, 1973, extended the right of the Government of India to take over the management of the coking and non-coking coal mines in seven States including the coking coal mines taken over in 1971. This was followed by the nationalisation of all these mines on 1.5.1973 with the enactment of the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 which now is the piece of Central legislation determining the eligibility of coal mining in India.

Environmental Issues on Coal Mining 

• Coal India Limited (CIL) is the central producer of coal in India, operating in 8 stations.

• Opencast mines are the main contributors to air pollution, often exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

• Studies show that the 24-hour average of Total Particulate Matter (TSP) and PM10 in the Ib Valley coalfield region of MCL exceeds the NAAQS limit.

• The long-term mining of coal deteriorates the natural environment, affecting nearby water bodies and soil.

• Regular disposal of wastewater into nearby water bodies is the main cause of water pollution.

• Chemical particles released from wastewater alter water regimes, leading to altered pH balance and hazardous aquatic life conditions.

• Metallic materials like iron, copper, manganese, and nickel hinder domestic water use.

• Surface and groundwater pollution is rampant due to the release of obnoxious substances like ash, oil, phosphorus, ammonia, urea, and acids.

• The presence of metallic substances in water results in various health hazards such as rheumatism, speech and hearing disability, euphoria, impotency, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney stones, and cancer.

• Noise pollution is evident during mining activities, especially during blasting, drilling, and transportation.

• Workers in the polluted environment face continuous exposure to noise, humidity, unhealthy ventilation, and chemical explosion smells.

• Addressing these issues requires appropriate policies for project-affected communities.

Constitutional Provisions on Coal sector in India

Under List-II of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, regulation of mines and mineral development is subject matter of the State Government. Further different State Acts provide that the ownership of mines and minerals vest in the State Governments. However, Entry 54 of List-I of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution provides that regulation of mines and mineral development can be taken over by the Central Government to the extent declared by the Parliament by law to be expedient in public interest. In terms of these provisions, the Parliament has made the statutes like the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 and the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015. Thus the Government of India has partial control over coal mines located in the country to the extent provided in the central statutes.