Question : SHORTAGE OF COINS



(a)whether despite expenditure of Rs.59 crore spent on modernisation of Government of India Mint in Calcutta, the objective of increasing the production of coin blanks and coins remain unfulfilled and the mint continued to produce almost the same amount of coins as before modernisation;

(b) if so, the reasons for not achieving the result;

(c) whether any responsibility has been fixed on this account;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps have been taken to check the shortage of currency coins in the country?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI BALASAHEB VIKHE PATIL)

(a)&(b) No, Sir. As a result of modernisation, the production of coins and coin blanks in the Kaolkata Mint has increased steadily as evident from the production figures given below:

( in million pieces)

Year	Production of blanks Production of coins 
1997-98 152.3600 434.1800 1998-99 255.9600 525.1100 1999-2000 356.5200 660.0900

(c) & (d) The question does not arise.

(e) As a long-term measure,it was planned to modernise the Mints at Kolkata,Hyderabad and Mumbai which is nearing completion.It has also been decided to put NOIDA Mint on two shift working.As a short-term measure,coins are being imported to bridge the gap between the indent of coins from RBI and supply of coins by Mints.