Question : INCREASE IN IMPORT OF COAL

(a) whether the import of coal from various countries to bridge the gap between demand and supply of coal in the country has increa- sed during each of the last three years and the current year;

(b) if so, the value and quantum of coal impo- rted during the said period, country-wise;

(c) whether the Government proposes to import coal from the other countries in the next fina- ncial year;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to improve the quality of coal and reduce its import into the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER AND NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)to(d): As the demand for coal is higher than the current production level / supply in the country, coal is imported by consuming sectors. As per the current import policy, coal is under Open General License (OGL) and consumers are free to import coal from the source of their choice as per their contractual prices on payment of applicable duty. Details of country-wise, year- wise quantity and value of coal imported during the last three years and current year is given below:-

 
 Country	(Quantity in Million tonnes & Value in Rs.in Million)	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15# 
	Quan-	Value	Quan-	Value	Quan-	Value	Quan-	Value	tity	tity	tity	tity Indo-	55.3	258417	82.4	329706	103.1	418554	79.7	310601 nesia Aust-	27.8	366256	30.5	315969	34.8	319486	29.9	219223 ralia South	12.2	77107	20.3	113565	20.6	111462	19.0	97149 Africa USA	3.0	39746	6.4	55033	3.7	32070	3.0	21089 Russia	1.2	9885	0.4	3564	0.7	6116	0.7	4993 New	1.0	12986	1.0	11356	1.2	10962	0.7	5151 Zealand China	0.5	4939	0.02	342	0.2	2014	0.01	227 PRP Canada	0.2	3157	1.0	10843	1.3	12248	1.2	9376 Moza	1.0	10187	1.5	11863	1.3	8573 mbique Others	1.7	15883	2.9	27890	1.5	8154	2.1	9688 Total	102.9	788376	145.8	868455	168.4	932929	137.6	686070