Centre Launches Zero Coal Leakage Plan

On 5th July 2026, Union Home Minister directed the implementation of the Zero Coal Leakage Plan to curb illegal coal mining and theft.

Key Points

Objective: The plan aims to eliminate illegal coal mining, theft and unauthorised transportation through coordinated and time-bound enforcement.
Legal Enforcement: Authorities will exercise powers under the MMDR Act, 1957 for search, seizure and prosecution of offenders.
Monitoring Mechanism: The Ministry of Coal will regularly review enforcement actions and verify coal consignments through e-way bill monitoring.
Security Measures: CISF will deploy Quick Response Teams and establish multi-layered security arrangements in vulnerable mining areas.
Significance: The initiative aims to protect coal resources, strengthen lawful mining operations and improve transparency in the coal sector.