Question : E-AUCTION POLICY

(a) whether the Government proposes to bring changes in the e-auction policy;

(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the time by which the changes are likely to be brought about;

(c) whether several small scale industries especially kiln industries are on the verge of closure due to the present e-auction policy;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Coal India Limited has earned more profit through e-auction system;

(f) if so, the details thereof;

(g) whether there is vast difference in sale of coal on regular and e-auction basis; and

(h) if so, the comparative details thereof?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL (DR. DASARI NARAYANA RAO)

(a): No, Sir. There is no such proposal at present.

(b): Does not arise in view of reply given at (a) above.

(c)&(d): No, Sir. The Government has allocated 5 million tonnes of coal at a special floor price to State nominated agencies and National Cooperative Consumers` Federation (NCCF), for meeting the requirements of small and tiny consumers.

(e)&(f): Out of overall gross turnover of about Rs. 34,000 crores (Provisional) ofCIL during the year 2005-06, the additional contribution of revenue on account of E-marketing was Rs. 922.50 crores (Provisional).

(g)&(h): Out of 332.524 million tonnes (Provisional) of coal dispatched by Coal India Limited during the year 2005-06, the component of e-marketing was only 14.70 million tonnes . The average price of coal sold through e-marketing in Coal India Limited during the year 2005-06 was 23.1% over the floor price and 48.1% over the notified price.