India's Home Minister Amit Shah orders crackdown on illegal coal mining in Jharkhand

Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the Central Industrial Security Force to enforce a zero‑coal‑leakage initiative and curb illegal mining in Jharkhand after a high‑level meeting with the Coal Ministry. The meeting highlighted rising illegal mining and coal theft in Dhanbad and surrounding areas. Shah ordered CISF deployment in vulnerable zones, the use of high‑resolution cameras at Integrated Command and Control Centres, and regular reviews of actions taken under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. The plan aims to protect public resources, improve environmental safety, and set a precedent for other coal‑producing states.

The Ministry of Coal was instructed to keep the coal sector on the Home Ministry’s priority list and to ensure timely implementation of the Zero Coal Leakage Plan.