The Ministry of Coal published the draft Mining plan guidelines for coal and lignite blocks 2024 on 18th June 2024. The draft is a step in the right direction, and includes positive measures such as the inclusion of formats for reporting, considerations towards accountability, safety, and just transformation. But with the increase in number of mines and entities involved in mining, clear and robust guidelines are crucial towards optimization of mining, reducing ambiguities in process, providing a level playing field and safeguarding the interest of stakeholders and communities. 

Prayas (Energy Group)'s inputs towards this included the following:

• Reconsider separate provisions for the approval of CIL mining plans
• Ensure Gram Sabha consultation towards the preparation/revision of the mining plan
• Increase accountability measures towards deposit, reimbursement, and forfeiture of escrow amount
• Strengthen the CCO so that it is able to fulfill the expanded mandate, including ensuring accountability and transparency
• Introduce provisions that encourage flexibility in production of coal in line with the demand for the resource
• Intimate state governments of provisions regarding hand over of assets, and initiate hand-over process well in advance
• Consider 50% increase in sanctioned PRC as a revision of mining plan, and not merely a modification