Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy Emphasises Reforms and Gasification in Coal Sector

Union Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy addressed the fourth Mining Ministers Conference on 'Reforms in Mines and Coal Sector' organised in Goa. On this occasion, he highlighted the transformative journey of India's coal and mining sectors under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Minister stated that continuous reforms have increased transparency, efficiency, and professionalism in these sectors, resulting in a stronger contribution to national economic growth and energy security.

Speaking on the priorities of the coal sector, Shri G. Kishan Reddy emphasised the need to accelerate the process of coal gasification to make the best use of India's abundant coal resources. He added that coal gasification could unlock the economic value of domestic coal, which would promote industrial diversification, create new employment opportunities, and further strengthen the country's long-term energy security.

Emphasising the strategic importance of 'critical minerals' amidst changing equations in the global geo-political scenario, the Minister stated that India needs to strengthen its domestic exploration, mining, processing, refining, and recycling capabilities. He clarified that developing a self-reliant mineral ecosystem is essential to reduce dependence on imports and increase India's strategic and economic resilience.

Discussing the transformative role of technology, Shri Reddy appealed to state governments to use Artificial Intelligence (AI), digitalisation, and advanced technical solutions in mineral exploration, mining operations, and mineral recovery. He expressed confidence that adopting technology-driven methods would improve productivity, operational efficiency, and sustainability in the mining and coal sectors.

The Union Minister humbly requested states to make auctioned mines operational as soon as possible, expedite the auction process for new blocks, expand exploration activities, and adopt technology-driven methods to leverage the full potential of mineral resources. He further stated that mining sector reforms have strengthened state economies, attracted investment, created employment opportunities, and generated revenue, while promoting development in mining-affected areas.

Reaffirming the spirit of cooperative federalism, Shri G. Kishan Reddy called for stronger coordination between the Centre and States to unlock India's mineral and coal potential, strengthen the mining ecosystem, and ensure sustainable and inclusive growth. He expressed hope that through collective efforts and a shared roadmap, India's mining and coal sectors would reach new heights, contributing significantly to the vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'.

Minister of State for Coal and Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey also addressed the conference. He stated that the mining sector is a key pillar of the country's economic progress, industrial development, and energy security. He highlighted the comprehensive reforms being undertaken by the Central Government, including transparent auction processes, promotion of investment, creation of new employment opportunities, and efforts to accelerate mining activities.

Shri Dubey emphasised the importance of prioritising sustainable and responsible mining, environmental protection, mine reclamation, and the welfare of communities living in mining-affected areas. He suggested that to ensure environmental and social interests are protected alongside development, plans for post-mining reclamation and alternative livelihood opportunities for local communities should be included from the very beginning of mining operations.

He stressed the need to increase coal production by promoting safe and modern mining technology, coal gasification, innovations in coal usage, and initiatives such as 'First Mile Connectivity'. Along with this, he requested states to share their experiences and best practices and work together to solve the challenges of the mining sector.

Secretary of the Ministry of Coal Shri Vikram Dev Dat spoke about the significant progress made in India's coal sector and its important role in strengthening the country's energy security and accelerating economic growth. He provided important information that India's domestic coal production has remained over one billion tonnes for the second consecutive year, which is a major achievement in India's journey towards energy self-reliance and reducing dependence on imported coal.

Shri Vikram Dev Dat emphasised the importance of continuous structural reforms to make the coal sector more competitive, transparent, efficient, and investment-friendly. He highlighted key initiatives such as 'Commercial Coal Mining', the revised 'SHAKTI' framework, and 'Coal SETU'. He stressed the need to increase private sector participation, simplify processes, and expedite the operation of coal mines.

The Secretary identified coal gasification as a major opportunity for value addition, industrial diversification, and employment generation. He requested coal-bearing states to facilitate investment, support infrastructure development, and expedite project implementation to leverage the vast potential of the sector.

Emphasising the importance of technology, digitalisation, sustainable mining methods, and efficient logistics, the Secretary appealed for strong Centre-State cooperation to utilise the full potential of India's coal and mineral resources. He reiterated that the next phase of development in the coal sector should move beyond mere extraction towards value creation, so that this sector can be established as a catalyst for industrial growth, strong state revenue, employment generation, and the vision of Viksit Bharat.

During the conference, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Coal Ms. Rupinder Brar gave a detailed presentation on the recent reforms in the coal sector, their role in increasing 'Ease of Doing Business', as well as the key challenges and expectations associated with the states. The presentation showed that these reforms are simplifying processes, increasing transparency, facilitating investment, and creating a more business-friendly environment for stakeholders.