By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: While replying to BJP MPs Jual Oram and Sanjay Seth, Union Coal, Mines and Parliamentray Affairs Minister, Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday, said, total demand and supply of Coal for 2019-20 was 955.26 Million Tonnes, which was provisional.
Both Oram and Seth had sought to know total demand of coal of various grades in the country and the total annual production of the different gradesof coal in different coal
mines under different coal companies in the last three years, grade-wise followed by the target set in those years and actual achievements therein and whether coal is imported and if so, the quantity of coal of various grades imported during the last three years, the value thereof and the countries from and where they are imported, year-wise; and the steps taken to increase the production of coal in the country?
Joshi said the focus of the Government is on increasing domestic production of coal through allocation of more coal blocks, pursuing with State Government for assistance in land acquisition and coordinated efforts with Railways for movement of coal. In order to enhance domestic production, 25% of coal production has been allowed for sale of coal for newly allocated captive coal blocks. Commercial mining, with a provision for 100% foreign direct investment, has been allowed by the Government.
In order to enhance coal production, Coal India Limited (CIL) has taken the following Steps: Implementing on-going projects in time bound manner to achieve targeted production as per schedule.15 Greenfield Projects identified with a Capacity of about 160 Mty to be operated by Mine Developer cum Operator mode. Manual loading method eliminated in all underground mines of CIL (except one mine of CCL) by introducing Side Discharge Loader (SDL)/ Load Haul Dump (LHD) loading in conjunction with belt conveyors. Introduction of Surface Miners in opencast mines to improve operational efficiency and cater to environmental needs.Introduction of Mass Production Technology in underground coal mines, Joshi added.
