Question : PACT WITH JAPAN ON COAL TECHNOLOGY

(a) whether India and Japan signed an agreement to pool their resources towards developing clean coal technologies for power plants and other coal based industries;

(b) if so, whether for the first time both the countries have agreed on the improvement of coal preparation technologies that would contribute to realising environmental preservation;

(c) if so, the other details of the pact signed between India and Japan on coal technology; and

(d) the financial assistance provided by Japan for setting up of coal washeries and coal enrichment technology to make India coal green?

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND MINES & MINERALS SHRI P.R. KUMARMANGLAM
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

A statement referred to in reply to part (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 236 asked by Shri Mani Bhai Ramjibhai Chaudhri and Shri Sadashivrao Dadoba Mandlik regarding Pact with Japan on coal technology.

(a) to (d): Government has not signed any agreement with Japan to pool their resources towards developing clean coal technologies for power plants and other coal based industries. However, CMPDIL has signed agreements with M/S Center for coal utilisation, Japan since 1997 for the following jobs:

(i) Pre survey work for research programme for an environment- friendly coal utilisation system in India in 1997.

(ii) Survey work for Research programme for an environment- friendly coal utilisation in India in 1998.

(iii) Updating of survey work for research programme for an environment –friendly coal utilisation system in India in 2000 in progress.
No financial assistance has been provided by Japan to CIL for setting up of coal washeries or coal beneficiation technology.
A delegation from Japan Coal Energy Centre visited Delhi on 18.1.2000 and made a presentation to CFRI. The CFRI and JCOAL have had constructive discussions and see potential as partners for future collaboration. CFRI and JCOAL agreed to continue the discussion on the possible research and development in the field of coal preparation and technologies for mutual benefit.