Coal Production Touches 557 MT

The total production of raw coal in the country during 2012-13 was 557.5 MT which was 97% of the target production and exhibited a growth rate of 3.3% over the previous year (2011-12) when the growth rate was 1.4% over 2010-11. This information was given by the Minister of State for Coal, Shri Pratik PrakashBapu Patil in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

The Minister said that based on the recommendation of the Review Committee and the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG), the Government has so far de-allocated 47 coal blocks mainly an account of lack of progress of development of the blocks. Out of the 47 de-allocated bocks, 2 blocks were allocated again, 3 blocks were assigned to Coal India Limited and in respect of 5 blocks de-allocation letters were withdrawn.

As such the target of production of coal from captive blocks was 42 MT in 2012-13 which was only 7.3% of the overall target for coal production in the country, envisaged for 2012-13. As against the above target, the production of coal from captive blocks was 36.8 MT in 2012-13. As such, coal production depends on various factors such as the pace of land acquisition, obtaining environment and forestry clearances and other factors.

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NCJ/RV