Question : ALLOCATION OF COAL BLOCKS

(a): whether the Government has not been able to adequately meet the demand for supply of coal to various industries which are using it as feed stock;

(b): if so, the details thereof;

(c): the details of coal blocks allotted to various private and public sector companies during the last one year, State-wise and company-wise;

(d): whether irregularities in allocation of coal blocks have come to the notice of the Government;

(e): if so, the punitive action taken by the Government against the persons found guilty in this regard;and

(f): the time by which the country is likely to become self-reliant in the production of coal?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House .

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (f) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 184 for 9.3.2011

(a) & (b): As part of the Annual Plan 2010-11, Ministry of Coal / Planning Commission had initially projected all India coal demand at 656.31 Million Tonnes against which the indigenous availability was estimated at 573. 42 Million Tonnes. However, as per the revised projections, the All India coal demand during 2010-11 is now estimated at 624.78 Million Tonnes and the indigenous availability estimated at 536.05 Million Tonnes. The gap of 88.73 Million Tonnes is likely to be met through import by various consumers.

(c): During the last one year, only one coal block namely Bankhui has been allocated to M/s. Sakhigopal Integrated Power Company Limited (a Special Purpose Vehicle of M/s. Power Finance Corporation, a public sector company under Ministry of Power, Government of India) for development of first additional Orissa Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP), in the State of Orissa, based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Power.

(d): No, Sir.

(e): Does not arise in view of the reply given at (d) above.

(f): As per the assessment of the Planning Commission, the coal demand in 2021-22 is projected at 1353 Million Tonnes against the total coal production assessment at 1084 Million Tonnes.There is thus likely to be a shortfall of 269 Million Tonnes of coal in 2021-22. In view of the widening demand-supply gap of coal, the country is unlikely to become self-reliant in meeting the demand of coal indigenously in near future.