Allegations have surfaced regarding the open sale of subsidized coal, originally allocated for industries in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, at the Kuju Coal Mandi in Ramgarh district. Coal traders claim that this coal, meant to support industries and create employment and provided at a subsidized rate of approximately ₹5,000 per ton, is being illegally sold in the Kuju Mandi for around ₹9,000 per ton, yielding a profit of about ₹4,000 per ton.

According to traders, those holding Delivery Orders (DOs) in CCL's support e-auction are forced to purchase coal at roughly ₹10,500 per ton. Consequently, when the subsidized coal is available in the market for about ₹9,000 per ton, customers naturally prefer the cheaper option. This price difference is being exploited, raising serious questions about the objectives of the government's subsidy scheme.

Local traders state that high bidding in e-auctions is making it increasingly difficult for small DO holders to conduct business. They allege that the purported illegal sale of subsidized coal by some larger traders is distorting market competition, adversely affecting the livelihoods of small DO holders, as well as the unemployed and laborers.

Local DO holders have demanded a high-level and impartial investigation into the entire matter. They believe that a thorough examination of the actual consumption, factory delivery, and subsequent sale of coal allocated to industries in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh could reveal the full extent of the alleged irregularities. Given the suspected involvement of major industrialists, an unbiased audit of documents and coal supply-consumption records by the relevant departments is crucial to clarify the situation.