The hierarchy of coal regulation in India is structured through various government bodies and ministries, each responsible for different aspects of coal mining, regulation, distribution, and environmental management. Below is the general hierarchy:

1. Ministry of Coal (MoC)
   Position: Topmost authority
   Role: Formulates policies, regulations, and guidelines for coal mining and coal distribution. It is responsible for the overall development and regulation of the coal sector.
2. Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS)
   Position: Regulatory Authority
   Role: Under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, DGMS is responsible for the safety of mines, ensuring compliance with mining safety regulations, including coal mines.
3. Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
   Position: Regulatory Authority for coal supply to power sector
   Role: Responsible for regulating power generation and management of coal used in power plants, including its planning and use.
4. Coal Controller’s Organisation (CCO)
   Position: Regulatory and administrative body
   Role: Manages the allocation and distribution of coal. The CCO is involved in monitoring and regulating coal production and stocking.
5. Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI)
   Position: Technical arm of Coal India Limited (CIL)
   Role: Involved in planning, designing, and providing technical support for coal mining projects in India, particularly for Coal India and its subsidiaries.
6. State-Level Authorities (State Mining Departments)
   Role: Each coal-producing state in India has its own regulatory body and mining department that governs and manages coal mining activities, adhering to central regulations while focusing on local issues.
   Example: State Mining Departments, State Pollution Control Boards. Each coal-producing state has its own mining department.
7. Environmental Clearance Authorities
   Role: Coal mining projects must obtain environmental clearances before commencing, governed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
   Related Bodies: State Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs).
8. Coal India Limited (CIL)
   Position: Major Government-owned Public Sector Undertaking (PSU)
   Role: State-owned company and one of the largest producers of coal in India. It operates numerous coal mines under government policies and contributes to coal supply.
9. Private Coal Miners / Contractors
   Position: Private Sector Mining Operators
   Role: The private sector, including large companies like Adani Enterprises, Vedanta, and Ambuja Cement, participate in coal mining and distribution after securing coal blocks through auctions governed by Ministry of Coal regulations and policies.

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