The revolutionary Khanan Prahari mobile application was recently launched by the Ministry of Coal to combat illicit coal mining activities. This article will delve into the details of this innovative app, its features, the current status of coal mining in India, and the historical timeline of coal mining in the country.
Introducing Khanan Prahari
The Khanan Prahari application is an innovation that allows citizens to actively contribute to curb illegal coal mining. Users can report incidents by submitting geo-tagged photographs and textual information directly from their smartphones. The corresponding web portal, known as the Coal Mine Surveillance & Management System (CMSMS), is a collaborative development between the Bhaskaracharya Institute of Space Application & Geoinformatics, Gandhinagar, and the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), Ranchi. Such an approach merges advanced technology with public participation to tackle this grave concern. The active involvement of the public is evident in the 483 complaints lodged via the app since its inception.
Key Features of Khanan Prahari
The Khanan Prahari app presents a user-friendly interface for reporting incidents of illegal mining, maintaining users’ confidentiality, and providing complaint tracking mechanisms. After filing a complaint, users receive a unique complaint number for tracking the complaint’s status.
Surveying the Status of Coal Mining in India
India stands as the second-largest coal producer globally and ranks fifth in terms of coal deposits. Coal, often referred to as ‘Black Gold’, is a type of fossil fuel found in sedimentary rocks. Despite being a major coal producer, India has had to resort to imports to meet its demands, with a 30% increase in coal imports in 2022-23. Major coal-producing states include Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.
Historical Timeline of Coal Mining in India
India’s history with coal mining spans over 220 years, initiated by the East India Company in the Raniganj Coalfield in 1774. Though the growth was initially slow, the introduction of steam locomotives in 1853 spurred production. Post-independence, the National Coal Development Corporation (NCDC) was founded in 1956 for systematic industry growth. The nationalization of coal mines began in 1971-72 and carried on until the Coal Mines (Nationalization) Act, 1973, to eradicate issues of unscientific mining practices and poor labor conditions.
The country faced minimal demand-supply gaps post-nationalization until 1991. Liberalization reforms in 1993 led to coal mine allocation for captive consumption. The groundbreaking Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 paved the way for coal mine allocation through auctions. In a significant move, private firms were granted access to commercial coal mining in 2018.
The Khanan Prahari app and its web portal CMSMS are significant strides in reducing illegal mining activities in India and enhancing public participation effectively. The rich history and current state of coal mining in India reflect the dynamic changes the industry has undergone and its capacity to adapt to developments.