Ranchi: Six years after the Centre opened coal mining to commercial operators, Jharkhand has seen little benefit despite receiving the highest number of blocks among mineral-rich states, according to data presented in Lok Sabha.Of the 37 commercial coal blocks allotted in the state, production stood at just 0.35 million tonnes (MT) in 2025-26, according to a written reply by Union minister of state for coal and mines Satish Chandra Dubey in Lok SabhaThe reply, furnished in response to a question from Chatra MP Kali Charan Singh, showed that Jharkhand’s commercial coal potential remains largely untapped, even as output from such mines rises nationally.The Centre has allocated 132 coal blocks across the country through commercial mining auctions. Of these, 23 received mine opening permission and 15 began production. The remaining projects are at different stages of land acquisition, statutory clearances and infrastructure development, the minister said.Commercial coal production nationwide increased from 1.15MT in 2021-22 to 26.12MT in 2025-26. The Centre has promoted commercial mining to increase domestic supplies, reduce imports and improve energy security under its Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.Progress has been particularly slow in the Chatra Lok Sabha constituency, which covers coal-bearing areas in Chatra, Hazaribag and Latehar districts. None of the eight commercial blocks allotted in the constituency has become operational.The blocks include Chakla, Brinda, Sasai, North Dhadu, Seregarha and Chitarpur (revised). They remain at various stages of project development, according to the reply.The Centre said it had taken several steps to speed up operationalisation, including empanelling private exploration agencies, simplifying approvals for geological reports and increasing the number of boreholes exempted from forest-clearance requirements.It has also removed the requirement for mine opening permission from the Coal Controller’s Organisation and designated coking coal as a critical and strategic mineral to facilitate faster clearances.
