The statement reveals that government-owned companies such as Coal India Limited and NLC India Limited together employ around 369,053 individuals, which includes 128,236 contract workers. Additionally, these companies support roughly 3.1 lakh retired employees.

Highlighting the employment opportunities generated in the coal sector over the past decade, the coal ministry stated that Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries have undertaken extensive recruitment drives, hiring 59,681 new personnel. Similarly, NLC India Limited has added 4,265 individuals to its workforce during the same period.

In the ongoing financial year, there has been a notable increase in recruitment efforts, with Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries employing 5,711 individuals through the Mission Mode Recruitment initiative. Additionally, NLC India Limited has hired 661 personnel during the same period.

The ministry stated that the surge in coal mining activities, driven by increasing demand, is expected to sustain employment growth in the years ahead. Apart from creating direct employment opportunities, mining activities also generate significant indirect employment, contributing to socio-economic development.