Question : NORTH EASTERN COALFIELDS LIMITED

(a) whether it is a fact that the North-Eastern Coalfields at Dibrugarh (Assam) are not running well due to the management policy;

(b) if so, the area office of North-Eastern Coalfields Limited at Assam which is 240 k.m. from Dibrugarh;

(c) whether the marketing system of NECL in one of the defective system of the management;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether there is any system in Arunachal Pradesh that the mines can be operated by the land owner without giving any licence fee or cess to the Government; and

(f) if so, the reasons for such discrimination between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh?

MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SUSHREE UMA BHARTI)

(a): No, Sir.
(b): The Area Office of North Eastern Coalfields (NEC) situated at Margherita is at distance of 100 kms from Dibrugarh.

(c)&(d): No, Sir. In the absence of coal based industries in Assam and neighbouring States and high transportation cost, NEC coal is not finding a good market.

(e): No, Sir.

(f): Does not arise in view of the answer given to part (e) of the question.