<h1>Union Coal Minister Urges States to Tackle Illegal Coal Mining; Highlights Need for Better Coordination to Ensure Safety</h1> The Union Coal Minister emphasized that state governments are responsible for curbing illegal coal mining, including rat-hole mining. Coordination between the Centre and states is crucial to reduce accidents in coal fields. The Minister discussed recent incidents with the Chief Ministers of Assam and Jharkhand, highlighting the closure of illegal sites and arrests in Assam. Despite central efforts and a zero-tolerance policy towards coal mafia activities, challenges persist, particularly in Jharkhand, where safety concerns for public sector coal firms remain high. The ongoing underground blaze in Jharkhand's Jharia is also being addressed by the central government.