(a) Whether the Union Government has fixed/prepared certain specifications for
import of coal from China;
(b) If so, whether certain States have imported sub-standard coal from China for
their power generating units ;
(c) If so, the details thereof; and
(d) The steps taken by the Government to formulate a suitable strategy in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTERY OF POWER(SHRI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE)
(a) to (d) : Ministry of Power has not fixed any specification for import of coal from
China or any other country. Import of coal has been resorted to by the Power utilities to
bridge the gap between anticipated demand and supply of coal from the domestic sources
and the specifications of coal to be imported are prescribed by the utility depending upon
the technical requirement of the plant. Rajasthan, Punjab, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka have reportedly imported coal from China during 2005-06. No
complaint has been received in CEA & Ministry of Power from the aforesaid states /
power utilities regarding import of sub-standard coal from China.