Coal Ministry presses allottees to open idle blocks as only 25 of 137 commercial mines produce
30 October 2026
The Ministry of Coal held a day-long stakeholder consultation named 'Mining for Future' in Panjim, Goa, on 30 October.
Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt was chief guest; the ministry said only 25 of the 137 commercial mines allocated since 2020 are producing.
India's coal output in FY 2025-26 was 1,041 million tonnes, and more than 70% of the country's electricity still comes from coal.
Additional Secretary Rupinder Brar listed the 2020 reforms: no end-use limits, bids on a revenue share linked to the National Coal Index, and 100% FDI through the automatic route.
The target time to start a fully explored block has been cut from 51 to 40 months, and mining plan approvals now take about 4.5 months instead of 9.
The ministry asked companies to start mines early, reach peak capacity quickly and resettle displaced families fairly.
In plain words
National Coal Index National Coal Index — A price index for coal on which the revenue share in commercial coal auctions is based.
FDI (automatic route) Foreign Direct Investment through the automatic route — Foreign investment that needs no prior government approval.
CGWA Central Ground Water Authority — The national regulator for groundwater use and clearances.
DGH Directorate General of Hydrocarbons — The technical regulator for oil, gas and coal bed methane.