Kolkata: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday said West Bengal’s coal sector had remained under the grip of illegal mining operators and mafias for years, and asserted that the Centre was undertaking reforms to bring transparency, curb illegal activities and ensure mining revenues reach the state exchequer.
Addressing an industrial roadshow on the Angul Aluminium Park organised by Assocham in Kolkata, Reddy criticised the alleged lack of accountability in the state’s coal sector under previous governments and described the situation as “Jungle Raj”.
“For many years in West Bengal, the coal sector was controlled by the mafia and illegal mining operators. Even though Coal India is headquartered in Kolkata, everyone has personal experience with this reality,” the Union Coal and Mines Minister said.
He said he would meet Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to discuss the development of the coal and mining sector in the state.
Elaborating on the hazards of unauthorised mining, the minister said illegal extraction was carried out without valid permissions, safety norms or regulatory oversight.
“There was no permission for mining, yet illegal extraction was carried out using power connections. Accidents took place, lives were lost, and there was zero accountability. Such a ‘Jungle Raj’ prevailed in West Bengal, which we are now making dedicated efforts to change under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
Highlighting mining reforms, Reddy said the Centre’s push for transparency was helping crack down on illegal mining networks and increase revenue for the state government.
“Earlier, revenue generated from coal did not enter government accounts; it went elsewhere. Today, through transparent processes and strict accountability, many illegal operators have withdrawn, and state revenue from the sector will increase,” he said.
Recalling his tenure in the Union Home Ministry, Reddy cited instances of administrative reporting which, he claimed, did not reflect the ground reality.
“When we sought crime reports from West Bengal, the submitted figures for homicides or suicides were reported as zero. Today, under a transparent framework, we want to bring genuine investment, boost industries, and support the state’s workforce,” he said.
Reddy urged the public and industry stakeholders to work with the Centre to curb unlawful practices and revive the state’s industrial sector.
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