Stakeholders Consultation Meeting on Reforms in the Coal Sector Held in New Delhi

Newdelhi:7/8/25:The Ministry of Coal today organized a Stakeholders’ Consultation on Reforms in the Coal Sector at SCOPE Complex, New Delhi. The session was chaired by Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, in the presence of Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines, and Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal. Additional Secretary & Nominated Authority, MoC, Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, MoC, Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, CMDs of coal and lignite PSUs, senior officials of the Ministry, and representatives from the private sector were present in the session.

The session was aimed at engaging with key stakeholders from across the coal ecosystem to deliberate on new reform measures that can further strengthen domestic coal production, reduce import dependency, and enhance ease of doing business in the sector.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy highlighted the remarkable transformation the coal sector has undergone in the last decade. From an era of opacity in coal block allocation, the country has moved towards transparency, efficiency and accountability. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government responded decisively with the enactment of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, and a transparent auction mechanism, which laid the foundation for reforms that followed.

Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, in his remarks, highlighted the coal sector’s crucial role in powering the country’s development. He said that the efforts must be directed towards making the country stronger, and all decisions must reflect the best interest of the nation. He appreciated the collaborative spirit in which the Ministry has approached sectoral reforms and urged all stakeholders to work with a sense of national responsibility.

Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, noted that while the Ministry has achieved significant progress across key parameters, the purpose of this consultation is to identify areas that require further intervention. He underlined the need for further refinement in coal gasification technologies to make the process more efficient, scalable, and economically viable

Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Smt. Rupinder Brar, in her address, welcomed the valuable inputs received from stakeholders and assured that the Ministry is open to all constructive suggestions. She emphasized the importance of continuous engagement and encouraged participants to actively contribute ideas that can shape the future of the coal sector.

During the session, stakeholders shared valuable suggestions related to simplifying clearances, incentivizing coal gasification, improving logistics infrastructure, leveraging digital technology, and fostering ease of doing business. These inputs will be carefully considered by the Ministry to shape future policy interventions and ensure sustainable growth of the coal sector. The session concluded with a strong sense of collaboration among public and private stakeholders and reinforced the Ministry’s resolve to pursue reforms that promote transparency, efficiency, sustainability, and long-term energy security for the nation.