Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel Recognised for Excellence in Original Reports and Effective Parliamentary Oversight
Hamirpur, September 9, 2026: Former Union Minister and Member of Parliament from Hamirpur Anurag Singh Thakur has once again been recognised for his outstanding contribution to parliamentary democracy. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel, chaired by Anurag Singh Thakur, has also been conferred the prestigious Sansad Ratna Award 2026 for excellence in the category of Highest in the Original Reports Presented.
The award was presented at the 16th Sansad Ratna Awards ceremony held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The committee led by Anurag Singh Thakur is among only four parliamentary committees from both Houses of Parliament selected for this year’s prestigious national recognition.
While accepting the honour, Anurag Singh Thakur expressed his gratitude to the jury members and the Prime Point Foundation. He dedicated the award to the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee and the officers and staff of its Secretariat, acknowledging their collective efforts, rigorous research and commitment to strengthening bipartisan parliamentary oversight.
64 Meetings and 29 Comprehensive Reports
Under the leadership of Anurag Singh Thakur, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel has demonstrated exceptional productivity. Since June 2024, the committee has held 64 meetings and presented 29 comprehensive reports, examining issues of strategic importance to India’s economic growth, energy security and infrastructure resilience.
The committee has extensively examined subjects including critical mineral supply-chain security through KABIL, acceleration of domestic mineral exploration, enhancement of washed coal production, strengthening self-reliance in the steel sector, and effective utilisation of District Mineral Foundation funds and implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana.
Through these reviews and recommendations, the committee has contributed to strengthening policy frameworks in sectors that are central to India’s journey towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.
Strong Parliamentary Record and Wide-Ranging Responsibilities
Anurag Singh Thakur’s leadership of the committee is backed by extensive administrative and legislative experience gained during his five-year tenure as a Union Minister handling key ministries.
In addition to chairing the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel, he is currently serving on the Public Accounts Committee and the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Power. He is also contributing to important legislative bodies, including the Joint Parliamentary Committee on One Nation, One Election, the JPC on the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill and the JPC related to the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan.
Active Role in International Parliamentary Diplomacy
Anurag Singh Thakur has also played an active role in strengthening India’s parliamentary diplomacy and international policy engagement. He currently serves as the Chairman of the India-European Union Parliamentary Friendship Group and has previously led the FICCI Indo-US Parliamentarians Forum and the India-Germany Parliamentarians Forum.
He has also represented India at international platforms associated with the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the World Trade Organization, contributing to India’s engagement on global policy and economic issues.
Another Milestone in Anurag Singh Thakur’s Parliamentary Journey
The 2026 Sansad Ratna recognition further strengthens Anurag Singh Thakur’s established record of parliamentary excellence. He was individually honoured with the Sansad Ratna Award in 2019 for his outstanding parliamentary performance and received the Champions of Change Award 2019 for his contribution to social welfare initiatives. He was also honoured with the Best Young Parliamentarian Award in 2011 and was recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2014.
The latest recognition of Anurag Singh Thakur and the Parliamentary Standing Committee led by him is a significant acknowledgement of his active and effective parliamentary leadership. It is also a matter of pride for Hamirpur and Himachal Pradesh, reflecting the growing national recognition of the constituency’s representation in Parliament.
