DHANBAD: The Economics of Coal-The Mafia Pramod K. Gupta

Pramod Kumar Gupta, an alumnus of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and a former IRS officer, recounts his memories and experiences at Dhanbad, the ‘Coal Capital of India’, where he was posted as Assistant Director of Income Tax (Investigation) in the early 1990s. Much has changed since then, but he wonders whether the ethos has and whether the coal industry can be seen in isolation. It needs a national character and a resolve to make a difference, he feels.

Pramod Kumar Gupta’s interface with the Mafia, the arson at his office and the role of the police and the CBI make for an interesting read. He was rewarded by the government for his investigations. This book by him provides insights into the functioning of the coal industry in general and the BCCL in particular. He also gives a vivid description of Dhanbad, the city and nearby places. He discusses the issue of overloading of commercial vehicles and informs of a reference made by an industrialist and the government’s positive response. For those interested in the dynamics of the coal industry, the book is a trove of information and analysis.