(a) Whether the indigenous supply of coal to the steel plants is adequate;
(b) If not, the total monthly demand of coal in steel sector; and
(c) The steps being taken to fulfill their demand?
(a) Whether the indigenous supply of coal to the steel plants is adequate;
(b) If not, the total monthly demand of coal in steel sector; and
(c) The steps being taken to fulfill their demand?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES AND MINERALS
(SMT. RITA VERMA)
(a) Coking coal of required quality for supplying to steel plants is not adequately available in the country.
(b) The demand for steel plants (inclusive of Durgapur Coke oven plant) for washed and direct feed coal as per annual action plan target, and despatches during the year 1999-2000 is as under:-
(Figures in `000 tonnes) (Data provisional)(c) There is a gap between demand and production of coking coal. There is only limited scope for closing this gap due to nature of the coking coal deposits and its limited reserved and production capacities in the country. However, in order to improve despatches of washed coal, two washeries at Kedla(Central Coalfields Ltd.) and Madhuban (Bharat Coking Coal Ltd.) had recently been commissioned. Government has also reduced the import duty on coking coal so that steel sector may the desired quality coking coal for blending with indigenous coal.
Year Annual Action Actual Plan target Despatch 1999-2000 7550 6441