Govt. Of India Steps Up For Coal Production; Above 15% Increase up to February 2023

Government has initiated several steps to ramp up domestic coal production in the country in order to achieve self-reliance to meet the demand from all sectors. Some of the major initiatives undertaken include Single Window Clearance, amendment of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 to allow captive mines to sell up to 50% of their annual production after meeting the requirement of the end use plants, production through MDO mode, increasing use of mass production technologies, new projects and expansion of existing projects, and auction of coal blocks to private companies/PSUs. 100% Foreign Direct Investment has also been allowed for commercial mining.

Domestic coal production increased by 8.67% in 2021-22 over the previous year. In the current financial year till February 2023, domestic coal production has increased over 15% compared to the same period of last year.

Most of the requirement of coal in the country is met through indigenous production/supply. The focus of the Government is on increasing the domestic production of Coal and to eliminate non-essential import of coal in the country.

An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has also been constituted for the purpose of coal import substitution comprising representatives from Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Coal India Limited, SCCL, Paradip Port Trust, Vishakhapatnam Port Trust and Kolkata Port Trust. This Committee provides a platform for discussions on a larger forum with the Administrative Ministries so as to guide them to encourage the coal consumers of their respective sector to eliminate imports of coal

The details of quantity and value (in INR) of coal imported in the last five years are given below:-