Coal Ministry Reviews Auction Reforms & Private Sector Participation

New Delhi, Aug 6 (KNN) The Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament attached to the Ministry of Coal met on Wednesday to review commercial coal mining reforms and measures to enhance private sector participation in the sector.

The meeting was chaired by Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy and attended by Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt, senior officials of the Ministry, coal public sector undertakings and members of the Committee.

During the meeting, the Ministry informed the Committee that 14 rounds of commercial coal mine auctions have been completed, while the 15th round is currently underway.

It also highlighted that commercial coal mining has increased competition in the sector and that industry outreach is being undertaken through roadshows and stakeholder consultations to encourage wider participation.

The Ministry stated that captive and commercial coal mines contributed around 20 per cent of the country's coal production in the previous financial year and played a key role in helping India achieve one billion tonnes of coal production in each of the last two financial years.

Officials also informed the Committee that reforms have reduced the operationalisation timeline for fully explored coal blocks from 51 months to 40 months and for partially explored blocks from 66 months to 52 months.

Additional Secretary Rupinder Brar made a presentation on commercial coal mining reforms and private sector participation. Members of the Committee discussed the progress of the reforms and suggested measures to further improve private sector participation while addressing environmental and community-related concerns.

(KNN Bureau)