(a) whether the Government has decided to constitute an autonomous Coal Regulatory Authority for allocation of coal and providing other facilities;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has issued a draft for constituting the said Authority; and
(d) if so, the details along with the salient features thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a to d): After detailed consultations with various stake holders as well as concerned Ministries/Departments, the proposal of draft Coal Regulatory Authority Bill, 2013 was approved by the competent authority on 27.06.2013 and the same was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 13.12.2013 to regulate and conserve resources in the coal sector, protect the interest of consumers and producers of coal and for matters connected therewith. The Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha lapsed with the dissolution of the 15thLok Sabha.
The functions of the Coal Regulatory Authority proposed in the aforesaid Bill were as under:
Specifying the methods of testing for declaration of grades; monitor & enforce mine closure plans; ensure adherence of approved mining plans; specify principles and methodologies for price determination of raw coal, washed coal and any other by-product generated during the process of coal washing; specify procedures for automatic coal sampling &weighment; specify by regulations the standards of performance and norms of operational efficiency except in the area related to mines safety; adjudicate upon disputes between the parties. The Coal Regulatory Authority will also have an advisory role on formulation of policies in coal sector.