Coal news and updates

SC verdict has not disrupted coal supply and power generation: Goyal

November 25: Coal and power Minister Piyush Goyal has said that coal supply and power generation has not been disrupted due to the cancellation of captive coal blocks by the Supreme Court.

“Coal production from coal producing blocks has been permitted till March 31, 2015; therefore, coal supply and power generation has not been disrupted due to cancellation of coal blocks,” Goyal said in a written reply in Parliament.

He pointed that during April-October, 2014, there has been a growth of 15.4% in coal-based generation over the corresponding period of last year, while coal supply from CIL sources to power utilities in the country has also improved.

Goyal said coal supply by CIL stood at 208.71 million tons (mt) (Provisional) during the period, which is 94% of 223.09 mt, the supply plan target finalised by Ministry of Coal (MoC) as part of Annual Action Plan for 2014-15 for the period April-October, 2014.

The minister said in order to ensure adequate availability of coal to power utilities, CIL has been impressed upon to enhance production of coal in the country and power utilities have also been advised to enhance import of coal to meet the any domestic shortfall.

In addition, with a view to monitor coal supplies to power utility sector, an Inter-Ministerial Sub-Group comprising representatives of Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Railways has been constituted, he said.

“This Sub-Group takes various operational decisions for meeting any contingent situations relating to Power sector including critical coal stock position,” the minister added.