MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL (SHRI SYED SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) A statement is annexed.
(c) The following steps are continuously being taken by
CIL to check corruption:-
(i) Rotational transfer of officers/employees working in sensitive posts.
(ii) Periodical inspections, both regular and surprise, in sensitive areas.
(iii) Post scrutiny of files etc.
(iv) Scrutiny of property returns.
(d) Import of coal in under Open General License.
Consumers are importing coal, particularly coking coal
and superior quality non-coking coal on account of
inadequate availability of such coal from indigenous
sources. With present level of customs duty and railway
freight structure, imported coal becomes competitive per
unit of calorific value at certain locations.
Statement referred to in reply to part (b) of Lok Sabha
Unstarred Question No.2357 for reply on 7.8.2001 .
Statement showing matters reported in the news item captioned
‘Koyala Udyog Jharkhand aur Bhavishya Ki chintayen’ and the
reaction of the Government thereto
S.N Matters reported in the Reaction of the Government news item
1. About 2 crores 60 lakh During 2000-01, 21.56 million
tonnes of coal is tonnes (provisional) of coal
imported from abroad (12.25 MTs of coking coal and
every year and as a 9.31 MTs of non-coking coal)
result, dependence of was imported. Good quality
our country on imports coking coal and superior
is increasing. quality non-coking coal are
being imported due to non-
availability/inadequate
availability from indigenous
sources.
2. It points to a The country is largely self
dangerous situation sufficient in so far as coal
that to meet its energy as a source of energy is
requirements, the concerned. The total coal
country is becoming production in the country
increasingly dependent during 2000-01 was 309.63
on imports from million tonnes (provisional),
countries which are not against which the total import
even on friendly terms. was of the order of 21.56
This will lead to million tonnes only. Thus,
closure of coal imports only supplement the
industry in general and indigenous production to meet
BCCL in particular. the specific requirements of
certain sectors for superior
quality of coal.
3. The ownership of coal Under the existing legal
mines should be in the framework, Government
hands of people of companies or undertakings of
Jharkhand, instead of the Jharkhand State Government
the so called leaders, can also undertake coal
coal mafia and mining. Permissions have been
officials. granted to a few State
Government Corporations to do
coal mining. The Jharkhand
Government can also follow
this route.
4. The workers should also The workers have played a
realize their significant role in the rapid
responsibility. Just growth achieved by the coal
as they agitate for industry since
their personal demands, nationalisation. The
they should launch Government have also taken
similar campaigns various measures to safeguard
against the corrupt the interests of the workers.
elements and mafia. In a more competitive regime, the managements and the workers will have to work with greater synergy.
5. Situation can be In BCCL, first phase diversion
improved. Old railway of Sulunga jore has already
lines, sidings etc., been done and a detailed study
which are no longer in for examining the possibility
use, can be removed; of diverting the rivers and
and rivers, jores and nullahs passing over the coal
nullahs can be diverted bearing areas of BCCL is being
and about 60 crores done jointly by CMPDIL and
tonnes of coal lying BCCL. The quantity of coal
underneath can be reserves to be realised by
extracted. such diversion can only be
assessed after completion of
the study. Re-alignment of
Dhanbad-Patherdih Railway line
over non-coal bearing areas
has been taken up with the
railway authorities.
6. If BCCL has to BCCL has already prepared a
improve, it should production plan for the
draw up its production next five years.
plan for next five
years and clearly
demarcate the land
required for this
purpose.
7 Residents from the Persons affected by mining
areas affected by coal operations are being
mining should be shifted to new
shifted to alternative colonies/townships
location. constructed over non-coal bearing areas where all amenities are provided. Rehabilitation of some critical areas affected by fire and subsidence was earlier approved by a Committee constituted for this purpose by the erstwhile Bihar State.
8. BCCL should have an At present, land is not
agreement with the being acquired on lease by
land losers to the BCCL. Disposal of lands
effect that the land acquired under the various
taken on lease for Acts will be governed by
coal mining will be the provisions of those
handed over to them in statutes.
better condition after
30 years.
9. One major problem Coal companies have taken
affecting the coal necessary measures to curb
industry is the theft theft/pilferage of coal by
of coal. If there is strengthening security
a will, not only theft through intensive
can be prevented, but patrolling by security
this can also provide personnel of coal companies
employment to a large and CISF. Matter has also
number of youth, by been discussed with the
encouraging them to State Administration.
form cooperatives. Distribution of coal to
consumers is being made
through linkage system at
present. Coal supply to
cooperatives of unemployed
youths can be considered
only after formation of
such cooperatives and with
specific recommendations of
the State Governments.
10. To initiate the The Government always
aforesaid measures, it endeavors to build up a
is necessary that consensus over all
people from different important issues. The
political parties problems of the coal sector
forget their political are also discussed with the
affiliations and work representatives of
jointly towards political parties in the
resolving the problems Parliamentary Committees,
of the coal industry. such as the Consultative Committee, the Standing Committee on Energy etc.
