Lok Sabha Question No. 4336 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Transparency in Coal Production and Distribution
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Ramashankar  Vidharthi Rajbhar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4336 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## Transparency in Coal Production and Distribution †4336. Shri Ramashankar Rajbhar:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken to bring transparency in coal production and distribution system;
- (b) the steps being taken by the Government to reduce environmental damage caused by coal mining;
- (c) the measures being taken to reduce carbon emissions from coal mines;
- (d) the number of private coal mines being operated in the country; and
- (e) whether any heath insurance scheme is available for coal mine workers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a): The steps taken to bring transparency in coal production and distribution are as under:

- i. Major  Information  Technology  (IT)  initiatives  have  been  taken  up  by  Coal  India Limited (CIL) / Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) and reporting of coal production is done through the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems.
- ii. CIL/SCCL follow the policy and guidelines issued by Ministry of Coal to distribute coal in a transparent manner. The current policies in place are New Coal Distribution policy (NCDP), Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India  (SHAKTI),  Linkage  auction  policy  for  Non  Regulated  Sector  (NRS),  Bridge Linkage Policy, Single Window Mode Agnostic Auctions, Linkage rationalization etc., and  these  policies  are  modified  as  and  when  required.  The  coal  is  supplied  to  the consumer  as  per  the  Fuel  Supply  Agreement  between  coal  companies  and  the consumers.

(b): To promote environmental sustainability in coal mines in the country, various sustainable & environment friendly initiatives have been taken such as plantation/ bio-reclamation, mine water  utilization  for  community  use,  development  of  eco-parks  and  adoption  of  energy efficiency measures.

Further,  the  Coal  Block  Development  and  Production  Agreement  for  commercial  mining executed between Successful Bidder and Nominated Authority mandates that the Successful Bidder shall implement mechanised coal extraction, transport and evacuation in the coal mine, in line with modern and prevalent technologies. Accordingly, the Successful Bidder shall strive to minimise the carbon footprints from operations at the coal mine, undertake steps to reduce environmental  pollution  and  promote  sustainability,  in  accordance  with  Good  Industry Practice.

(c): The following activities are being taken by the coal companies to reduce carbon emissions from coal mines:

- i. Creation of carbon sink through plantations.
- ii. Restoration of degraded land.
- iii. Adoption of clean coal technologies including extraction of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) and Coal Gasification.
- iv. Minimizing road transportation and enhancing mechanized coal loading and transportation including First Mile Connectivity projects.
- v. Implementing Energy Efficiency measures
- vi. Undertaking  Renewable  energy  projects  including  solar,  wind,  pumped  storage projects, geo-thermal, etc.

(d): The total number of captive / commercial private coal mines allocated by Ministry of Coal which has received Mine Opening Permission is 28, out of which 26 coal mines have started production.

(e): Coal India Limited (CIL) / Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) provides the facility  of  medical  treatment  for  self  and  dependent  family  members  of  its  employees  in hospitals  /  dispensaries  of  CIL  /  SCCL.  Further,  employees  and  their  dependent  family members are also referred to empaneled hospitals across the country, as per the requirement, for  availing  specialized  facility  of  medical  treatment. The  contractors'  workers  engaged  in establishments  of  CIL/Subsidiaries  are  also  being extended  indoor  and  OPD  facility,  as available in company's hospitals/dispensaries. The Not on Roll Employees of SCCL and their spouses are enrolled in Contributory Post Retirement Medicare Scheme on paying stipulated membership fees, wherein they can avail cash less treatment in empaneled hospitals. At present there is no health insurance scheme for coal mine workers of CIL / SCCL.

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