Question : EXPORT AND IMPORT OF COAL



(a) the details of export and import of coal during the last three years and the current year, country-wise, quantity-wise and year-wise including the price of the exported/imported coal;

(b) the quantity of coal that is likely to be imported during the current year and funds likely to be spent thereon; and

(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to increase coal production so as to make the country self-reliant in coal sector?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL(SHRI PRATIK PRAKASHBAPU PATIL)

(a): Details of coal imports and exports in the country, Country-wise, quantity-wise and year-wise during 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 (upto Dec,2011) are given in Annexure-I & II.

(b): As per the Annual Plan 2011-12, the total indigenous coal supply is planned at 559 mts. as against the estimated demand of 696.03 mts. The gap between demand and supply is likely to be met through imports. The international price of coal fluctuates frequently & as such it is not possible to anticipate outgo of funds due to coal imports.

(c): The Ministry of Coal has taken steps to expedite Environment & Forestry clearances, pursue with Ministry of Railways for enhancing availability of rail rakes and approach State Government for necessary assistance in land acquisition and in problems relating to law and order. In addition, a series of steps have been taken by Coal India Ltd. and its subsidiaries for augmenting coal production which include (i) increasing the efficiency of the equipments, regular monitoring, mechanization as programmed and strict supervision of the existing mines and ongoing projects.(ii) Capacity addition from new and future projects (iii) Consistent efforts for resolving issues of environmental & forestry clearances, land acquisition and law and order problems.