Coal and Petroleum Policy — Policy Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act 2015	2015	Enabled allocation of coal mines for commercial mining to private companies, ending the restriction that limited private coal mining only to captive use. The Act provided for transparent auction mechanism and established regulatory framework for private coal mining operations.	Transformed India's coal sector by introducing competition, potentially increasing production efficiency, and reducing coal imports. Led to the National Coal Policy 2020 and significant private investment in coal mining infrastructure.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act 2006	2006	Established PNGRB as an independent regulatory authority for petroleum and natural gas sector, with powers to regulate downstream activities, authorize city gas distribution, and ensure fair access to petroleum infrastructure.	Created institutional framework for petroleum sector regulation, promoted competition in downstream activities, and provided consumer protection mechanisms. Enabled systematic development of city gas distribution networks across India.