Lok Sabha Question No. 2943 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-03
Subject: Coal Extraction
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Debasree Chaudhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2943 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2022

## Coal Extraction

## 2943. MS. DEBASREE CHAUDHURI:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  to  enhance  the  extraction  of  the  coal  in  the country which saw downfall during the last three years; and
- (b) the measures taken to provide better working conditions for the labourers working in coal mines along with better health facilities?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a):   The production of coal during last 03 years and corresponding growth percentage are as under-

| Year    |   Coking coal (in MT) |   Non-Coking coal (in MT) |   Total Raw coal (in MT) | Growth (%)   |
|---------|-----------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------|--------------|
| 2019-20 |                52.936 |                   677.938 |                  730.874 | +0.30%       |
| 2020-21 |                44.787 |                   671.296 |                  716.083 | -2.02%       |
| 2021-22 |                51.702 |                   726.488 |                  778.19  | +8.67%       |

Government has taken following steps to enhance the extraction of the coal in the country -

- (i)   Coal India Limited has set a target to enhance its production to reach the level of 1.00 BT by the year 2024-25 to meet the demand of coal indigenously and to eliminate non-essential import of coal in the country.  To achieve this target, CIL has taken following initiatives -
-  CIL has approved 52 projects during FY21 & FY 22. These projects will add additional capacity of about 278 Mty and projected to contribute additional production of about 102 Mt by FY 25.
-  CIL is enhancing its capacity through efficiency enhancement under the special dispensation of EIA Act.
-  Smaller subsidiaries like ECL  &  BCCL are enhancing its capacity through marginal schemes and OC patches.
-  CIL has initiated process for operating 15 nos. of mines through MDO route having an ultimate capacity of 168.6 Mty.
-  Discontinued/abandoned  mines,  having  considerable  coal  reserves,  are  being  offered  for reopening on revenue sharing basis.
-  CIL is implementing the application of more and more MPT in UG mines wherever feasible to enhance its UG production capacity.
-  To  improve  evacuation  efficiency,  44  First  Mile  Connectivity  (FMC)  projects  are  being implemented.
-  14 critical new rail line projects are being constructed for effective coal evacuation.
-  CIL has taken initiatives for improvement in productivity by enhancing efficiency of its mines with the introduction of Digitization of operation.
-  All out efforts are being made at all levels, for overcoming constraints like possession of nonforest land, diversion of forest land and other statutory clearances.
- (ii)   NLC India Limited (NLCIL) has set target of 18.00 MT coal production by 2024-25.

(iii)   The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has planned to enhance the coal production to 80 MT by FY2024-25 by opening of new coal mines, increase in EC capacity in potential mines.

- (iv)   Government is auctioning commercial mining and making all efforts to operationalize them.

(b) : Coal companies have taken following measured to provide better working conditions for the labourers working in coal mines alongwith giving them better health facilities -

(i)      Following are provided to coal mine workers for their safety -

-  Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) as per job-specific requirement such as Mining Shoes, Gumboots,  Helmet,  Safety  Belt,  Safety  harness  /  Safety  Hook,  Hand  Gloves,  Protective Goggles, Ear muffs, Self-contained breathing apparatus (for rescue workers) etc.
-  Personal Cap lamp for working at underground (UG) mines.
-  Rest Shelter, First-Aid Station & First-Aid Room and Mine station.
-  Ergonomically Designed machines used in mines.
-  Sufficient illumination and water spraying arrangement to ease working in mines.
-  Adequate Ventilation and support for safety of workers at below ground mines.

(ii)      In order to provide better working condition and better health facilities for labourers working in  Coal  Miners,  coal  companies  are  paying  utmost  attention  towards  welfare  amenities/facilities (Statutory  & Non-statutory) to all employees working in Coal Mines. Some of the facilities being provided are:-

-  Housing facilities for workers is located near their workplace.
-  Provision of clean and wholesome water
-  Financial assistance and infrastructure facilities to schools operating in Mines areas.
-  Scholarships
-  Financial assistance towards meeting the cost of education for pursuing studies of engineering  /  Medical  in  IITs,  NITs,  Government  Engineering  and  Government  Medical College.
-  Cash  Award  and  certificate  of  appreciation  to  the  Meritorious  wards  of  employees  who secure 90% or above Marks in aggregate in 10 th and 12 th standard Board level examination.
-  Medical facilities to the employees and their families through various medical establishments from the dispensary level to the central and Apex Hospitals in different parts of the coalfields. For  specialized  treatment,  where  the  expertise/  facilities  are  not  available,  they  are  also referred for treatment outside in the empaneled hospital
-  In accordance with the provision of the Mines Act 1952 and Rules and Regulations framed there-under, coal companies are maintaining various statutory welfare facilities for the coal mines such as Canteen, Rest Shelters etc.
-  In  order  to  supply  essential  commodities  and  consumer  goods  at  a  cheaper  rate  in  the collieries,  Central  Co-operative  and  Primary  Co-operative  Stores  are  functioning  in  the Coalfield Areas of CIL. In addition, Co-operative Credit Societies are also functioning in the Coal Companies.
-  The  Management  of  Coal  companies  are  providing  infrastructure  facilities  to  the  various Nationalized Banks for opening their Branches and Extension Counters in the Coalfields for the benefit of their workers.
-  There are recreational and sports facilities near residential colonies of workers to ensure the well-being and good health of the workers and their families.
-  Post retirement medical benefits to its retired employees (Executive & Non-executive) and its spouse for their treatment in the empaneled hospitals throughout the country.
-  Women employees are provided child care leave of 730 days (2 years) for taking care of their child up to 18 years of age for 2 eldest surviving children during their entire service period. This leave is with full pay and other benefits.
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