Lok Sabha Question No. 1460 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Shortage of Coal
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Yogender Chandolia, Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1460

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## Shortage of Coal

1460 Shri Yogender Chandolia: Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor:

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

- (a) whether there is shortage of coal in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the quantity of coal domestically produced and quantity of imported coal during the past five years;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is taking measures and coercing coal companies to ensure safety of workers; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (c): There is no shortage of coal in the country. The country has witnessed highest ever coal production in the year 2023-24. The all-India coal production in the year 2023-24 was 997.828  Million  Tonne  (MT)  provisional.  The  quantity  of  coal  produced  and  quantity  of imported coal during the past five years is as under:

|            |         |         | (Figure in Million Tonne (MT))   | (Figure in Million Tonne (MT))   |
|------------|---------|---------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Year       | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2022-23                          | 2023-24*                         |
| Production | 730.874 | 716.083 | 893.191                          | 997.828                          |
| Import     | 248.537 | 215.251 | 237.668                          | 261.001                          |

* Provisional Figure

(d) & (e):Coal Mines is governed by the Mines Act, 1952 and rules and regulations framed thereunder. Mines Act, 1952 is administered by DGMS by way of development of suitable legislations, rules, regulations, standard and guidelines, inspections, investigation of accidents, awareness activities, formulating risk management plans.

Apart from compliance of the statutory provisions made under the Mines Act, 1952, the Mines Rules- 1955, the Coal Mine Regulations- 2017 and Byelaws & Standing Order framed there under, the following steps are being taken to reduce occurrence of accidents in mines.

1. Preparation and implementation of Site Specific Risk Assessment based Safety Management Plans (SMPs).
2. Preparation and implementation of Principal Hazards Management Plans (PHMPs).
3. Formulation and compliance of Site-specific Risk Assessment based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

4. Conducting Safety Audit of mines through multi-disciplinary Safety Audit teams.
5. Adoption of the state-of-the art mechanism for Strata Management.
6. Monitoring of mine environment.
7. Specific Safety measures for OC mines:
- Use of eco-friendly Surface Miners for blast free safe mining
- Formulation and implementation of Mine-specific Traffic Rules.
- Training on Simulators to HEMM operators
- Dumpers  fitted  with  Proximity  Warning  Devices,  Rear  view  mirrors  and  camera, Audio-Visual Alarm (AVA), Automatic Fire Detection & Suppression system etc.
- Ergonomically designed seats & AC Cabins for operators' comfort.
- GPS based Operator Independent Truck Dispatch System (OITDS) and Geofencing in some large OCPs for tracking movement of HEMMs inside OC mine.
- Lighting arrangement using high mast towers for increasing level of illumination.

## 8. Specific safety measures for Underground coal mines:

- Elimination  of  basket  loading  by  introducing  semi  mechanization  with  LHDs  and SDLs.
- Replaced the cement capsules with resin capsules for effective roof control system with bolting by pneumatic /hydraulic roof bolting system
- Wherever geology permits, Continuous Miner technology is adopted
- Emergency Response & Evacuation Plans (ER & EP) prepared as per Regulation 252 of CMR 2017
- Air chilling plant to improve underground mine environment.
- Cordless cap lamps have been procured for the use by rescue personnel.

## 9. Training on Mine Safety:

- Initial and Refresher training & On-the-Job Training as per statute.
- Training on Simulators to HEMM operators.
- Skill up-gradation of frontline mine officials on continual basis on various topics.
- Sensitization of all  employees  including  Members  of  Safety  Committees  and contractual workmen on regular basis.
- Various training programme for enhancement of knowledge of mine executives.
- Training on Risk Management by SIMTARS accredited executives

## 10. Mine Safety Inspection:

- Round-the-clock  Supervision  of  all  mining  operations  by  adequate  number  of competent & statutory Supervisors and mine Officials
- Regular Inspection by Workmen Inspectors appointed in each mine.
- Surprise back shift mine Inspections by mine and area level officials.
- Regular mine Inspection by officials of Internal Safety Organization
- Periodic mine Inspections by senior officials.

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