Question : SUPPLY OF COAL

(a) whether Coal India’s coal output in the first nine months of this financial year fell short of the last year’s levels and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) whether e-auction being carried out by the Coal India Limited (CIL) are to be discontinued for now and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the allocation to the power sector is to be ramped up at the expense of supplies to non-priority sectors such as steel and cement and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to loosen up the environmental norm restrictions to enable an output boost at existing mines and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL (SHRI PRATIK PRAKASHBAPU PATIL)

(a): Yes Sir. The coal production during April-December 2011 was 291.24 million tonnes as against 299.46 million tonnes during the corresponding period last year. The main reasons for the shortfall include:

(i) Excessive rainfall from June, 2011 onward adversely affected the production from all the Opencast Mines.

(ii) Imposition of Sec. 144 and curfew (23rd April 2011 to 3rd May, 2011) in few places of Jharkhand affecting production in BCCL,CCL.

(iii) Law and order disruptions in the forms of local bundhs by naxalites in CCL and by local people in MCL command area.

(b)&(c): No Sir. As per the New Coal Distribution Policy of the Government, Coal supplies to all sectors of consumers including power utility sector are guided by the terms of the Fuel Supply Agreement.

(d): There is no such proposal to loosen up the environmental norm restrictions.