Lok Sabha Question No. 1870 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-10
Subject: Research Work in Coal Sector
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1870 TO BE ANSWERED ON  10.12.2015

## Research Work in Coal Sector

## 1870. SHRIRABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

Will the MINISTER OF COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any research work is being carried out in government institutes to enhance the quality and production of coal in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  progress  achieved  including  the  number  of personnel engaged in research/administration/services in these institutes;
- (c) whether  the  amount  of  investment  on  research  and  development  in  coal  sector  is adequate;
- (d) if  so,  the  amount  spent  by  the  Government  on  these  institutes  during  each  of  the  last three years and the current year; and
- (e) whether the Government plans to enhance  investment  in research and development  in the coal sector and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER  AND NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY  ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a)& (b): The Government of India through its Coal Science & Technology (S&T) scheme and  Coal  India  Limited  (CIL)  through  its  Research  &  Development  (R&D)  scheme undertake  R&D  activities  for  improvement  in  production,  productivity  and  safety  in  coal mines, coal beneficiation and utilization, protection of environment and ecology and other related  activities.  R&D  activities  are  administered  through  Standing  Scientific  Research Committee (SSRC headed by Secretary (Coal) and R&D Board of CIL headed by Chairman, CIL.

Since introduction of research funding of Ministry of Coal [MoC] and Coal India Limited, a large  number of research projects  have been carried out by  various academic and research institutes related to the coal and allied  industries  with active participation of coal and  lignite mining companies. Many of  these projects  have  yielded considerable benefits, resulting  in operational improvement, safer working conditions, better resource recovery and protection of the achievement.

At present, there are 34 on-going research projects with total outlay of more than Rs. 200 Cr at  various academic and research institutions in association with coal and lignite producing companies.

Under  the  above  R&D  scheme,  different  Government  academic/research  institutions  a re involved in the researchwork in coal sector. A fewof the  Government academic/research institutions  which  have  undertaken  the  research  work  for  the  last  three  years  are  given below:

1. Anna University, Chennai
2. Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
3. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
4. Central Electro Chemical Research Institute, Karaikudi
5. Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad
6. Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur
7. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
8. Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur
9. Institute of Mineral and Materials Technology, Bhubneshwar
10. Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad
11. National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad
12. National Institute of Technology, Surathkal
13. National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli
14. National Institute of Technology Rourkela
15. National Institute of Rock Mechanics, Kolar
16. The Energy and Resources Institutes, New Delhi
17. North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat
18. Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute, Gujarat

In Research projects, havebeen staff component which generally includes Project Coordinator, Project Leader and a few Senior Research Fellows / Junior Research Fellows / Research  Associates  are  engaged  by  the  concerned  implementing  agency  to  facilitate  the research work.

(c):  Adequate funds are earmarked annually by the Ministry of Coal (MoC) and Coal India Limited (CIL) to carry out research work in coal and lignite sector for the areas mentioned above.

(d):  The expenditure on R&D activities for the last three years and current year by CIL and through S&T grant of Ministry of Coal are as follows:-

(Rs. in Cr.)

| Year                |   Expenditure |
|---------------------|---------------|
| 2012-13             |         22.75 |
| 2013-14             |         22.73 |
| 2014-15             |         29.68 |
| 2015-16 (Till date) |          8.6  |

(e): For enhancing the research work needed to address the complexity of operations of the coal industry and for wider involvement of research institutes including private organizations with adequate  infrastructure and expertise  in India and abroad,  requests are made  from  time to  time, inviting research  proposals for undertaking research  work beneficial to the coal industry.

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