West Bengal coal sector faced mafia control, says Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy

Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, has accused previous administrations in West Bengal of allowing the state's coal sector to fall under the control of mafias and illegal mining operators. Speaking at an industrial roadshow in Kolkata, Reddy described the previous era as a ‘jungle raj’ where coal theft had become an organized industry.

Reddy noted that illegal mining often occurred without permits or safety standards, sometimes utilizing illegal electricity connections, which led to fatal accidents and a lack of accountability. He stated that the central government is implementing reforms to increase transparency, curb illegal activities, and ensure that mining revenue reaches the state treasury rather than being diverted.

With the current alignment of central and state leadership, Reddy indicated that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is taking action to address these issues. Additionally, the Minister highlighted significant infrastructure investments in the region, noting that approximately 1.47 lakh crore rupees in projects are in the pipeline to bolster West Bengal's industrial importance.