Lok Sabha Question No. 606 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Coal Shortage
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Khan Saumitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.606 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## Coal Shortage

## 606.  SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

## Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government considers the shortage of coal as a serious problem in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c)  whether  there  is  a  difference  of  opinion  between  the  States  and  the  Union Government on the said issue and if so,the details thereof; (d)  whether any concrete mechanism is available with the Government to resolve the above issue; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (f): There is no shortage of coal in the country. Due to increased demand of power,  less  power  generation  by  imported  coal  based  power  plants  and  some interruption in supply of coal due to heavy rains, the coal stock at the power plants depleted to 7.2 MT (sufficient for 4 days) as on 8 th  October, 2021.  Subsequently with  increased  coal  supplies,  the  coal  stock  has  started  increasing  and  has  now reached 16.74 MT (sufficient for 9 days) as on 25.11.2021.  Coal India Limited (CIL) has dispatched around 54 Million Tonnes (MT) more coal during April - October'21 in comparison to the same period of last year. CIL has dispatched 291.72 MT coal during this period, against 237.75 MT during the same period of last fiscal. The coal  stock  at  CIL  pithead  was  40.23  MT  as  on  08.10.2021  and  32.30  MT  as  on

25.11.2021. Steps taken to improve coal supplies for meeting increased demand in the country are as follows:

- i.  In  order  to  address  the  issues  of  coal  supplies  to  power  sector,  an  InterMinisterial  Sub-Group  comprising  of  representatives  from  Ministry  of  Power, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Railways, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), CIL and SCCL meet  regularly  to  take  various  operational  decisions  to  enhance  supply  of coal  to  thermal  power  plants  as  well  as  for  meeting  any  contingent  situations relating to power sector including critical coal stock position in power plants.
- ii. CIL had offered about 5.2 MT of additional coal from its various subsidiaries to States, Central Gencos for lifting through RCR/ Road Mode.

iii.  In addition to Annual Contracted Quantity (ACQ), coal has been offered under RCR mode on 'as is where is basis' to build up stock at Power house end.

iv.  The Ministry of Coal has amended Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 with a view to  encourage  domestic  coal  production  enhancement  from  captive  mines  by allowing sale of coal or lignite, on payment of additional amount, by the lessee of a captive mine up to 50 percent of the total coal or lignite produced in a financial year,  after  meeting  the  requirement  of  the  end  use  plant  linked  with  the  mine. Earlier this year, the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act had been amended to  this  effect.  This  is  applicable  for  both  the  private  and  public  sector captive  mines.  With  this  amendment,  the  Government  has  paved  the  way  for releasing of additional coal in the market by greater utilization of mining capacities of  captive  coal  and  lignite  blocks,which  were  being  only  partly  utilized  owing  to limited production of coal for meeting only their captive needs.

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