(a) quantum of power grade coal imported alongwith its
cost per tonne and customs duties thereon during each of
the last three years, country-wise;
(b) the equivalent indigenous coal to the imported
coal;
(c) whether the Government have received any
representations from either Coal India Ltd. or any of
the coal companies not to import power grade coal; and
(d) if so, the effective steps taken in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL (SHRI N.T. SHANMUGAM)
(a)&(b): Non-coking coal of varying heat values in
varying quantities are imported in to the country by
consumers, traders and importers under the current
import policy. Import of coal is not monitored by the
Ministry of Coal. Therefore, details regarding cost per
tonne of imported coal are not available. However,
details of import of non coking coal generally used by
power plants, cement plants etc. during the year 1997-98
to 1999-2000 are given below:
Year Basic Customs Quantity imported (Million tonnes)(c)&(d) Coal India Limited have made representations for providing a level playing field for indigenous coal to meet the challenges posed by imported coal. Indigenous coal per therm is costlier than imported coal at certain coastal areas due to certain reasons including high railway freight over long distances and low import duty on coal .
1997-98 10% 6.56 1998-99 10% 6.00 1999-2000 15% 7.50 (Provisional)