(a) whether the Government has taken any steps for the auction and sales of the Coal mines;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is a proposal to convert diesel dumpers into LNGs to reduce air pollution by Coal India; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF COAL, MINES & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)
(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Methodology for auction of coal and lignite mines/ blocks for sale of coal/ lignite on revenue sharing basis and tenure of coking coal linkages were approved by the Government on 20.05.2020. Through this methodology, the thrust of the Government is to maximize domestic production. It enables adequate competition and faster development of coal blocks. Auction process for sale of coal blocks has been launched on 18.06.2020. So far, 42 coal mines have been auctioned for sale of coal.
(c) Yes, Sir
(d) Coal India Limited (CIL) has started a pilot project in collaboration with GAIL in one mine of MCL (Lakhanpur OCP) for use of LNG in 100 Tonne BML make dumpers. After completion of pilot projects, if found possible, this technology to be extended to other mines.
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