Question : LOSS TO CIL

(a) whether the loss of subsidiary companies of Coal India Limited ( CIL) has been increased during 2001- 2002;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, subsidiary-wise; (

(c) whether the Government have constituted /appointed some agencies to review the loss making company and to make suggestions on reconstruction of these companies of CIL;

(d) if so, whether the Government have received certain suggestions from the agencies;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) the quantity of coal found substandard in Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) from April, 2001 to December, 2001 alongwith the cut in production;

(g) the extent of loss suffered by MCL as a result thereof; and

(h) the action taken by the Government against the contractor and to improve the coal industry ?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES ( SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) &(b) : No, Sir. However, the firm figures for the profit and loss of Coal India Limited (CIL) and its subsidiaries will be available after the accounts of the CIL and its subsidiaries are audited and adopted in the respective Annual General Meetings.

(c) to (e) : The Coal India Limited (CIL) have engaged the Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI), and the Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) to study the problems of and suggest measures for the revival /rehabilitation of the Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and the Bharat Coking Coal Limited ( BCCL), and the Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). The Government have received the report of ICICI in respect of ECL. However, the recommendations made therein have not found favour with the Government for implementation .

(f) &(g) All major consumers have agreed for joint assessment of coal quality. Payment is regulated on the basis of analysed quality of coal . The production during the period April, 2001 to December, 2001 has been higher than the target production as also the production during the corresponding period of the previous year, i.e., April to December, 2000.

(h) : Does not arise in view of reply given in parts (f) and (g) above.