NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over rising cases of illegal mining and coal theft in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad and surrounding areas, home minister Amit Shah Sunday directed the CISF and the coal ministry to form quick response teams and enforce a “zero coal leakage plan”.Shah also asked the agencies to put in place multi-layered security arrangements in vulnerable areas and ensure prompt action against illegal miners. The directions were issued during a high-level meeting with coal minister G Kishan Reddy to review the situation arising from illegal coal mining and theft. The home minister was also informed that CISF and state-run Coal India Limited have been authorised to take action against illegal mining under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.“This authorisation legally enables them to file cases in court, enter premises where illegally mined coal is suspected to be stored, conduct search and seizure operations, and seize illegally extracted minerals along with the tools, equipment and vehicles used in such unauthorised activities,” the govt said in a statement.Appreciating the new arrangement, Shah emphasised that the two agencies should exercise these powers rigorously, in a coordinated manner and in line with the approved standard operating procedure. The home minister also asked the coal ministry to regularly review the action taken.
