Not possible to specify exact amount of coal stolen: Government

NEW DELHI: The government today said it is not possible to quantify the exact amount of coal stolen and losses incurred due to pilferage and thefts.

"It is not possible to specify the exact quantum of coal stolen and losses incurred on account of theft/pilferage of coal," Minister of State for Coal Prakashbapu Patil said in Rajya Sabha.

Patil, however, said 14,918 tonnes of coal, worth about Rs 3.16 crore, in 2011-12 have been recovered through raids conducted by security personnel as well as joint raids with the and law and order authorities of the concerned state governments.

The largest quantity of stolen coal was recovered at (rpt) Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL), a subsidiary of Coal India, at 8,539 tonnes and valued at Rs 1.91 crore in 2011-12.

Eastern Coalfields, also a subsidiary of Coal India, saw recovery of stolen coal worth Rs 1.12 crore during 2011-12.

Patil said coal worth Rs 3.27 crore were either stolen or pilferaged during 2010-11 in Coal India.

The minister said a host of measures have been taken by coal companies to prevent theft. This includes installation of check posts at entry/exit points to check all coal-laden vehicles physically.

Surprise checks are also conducted by flying squads of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), it said.