NEW DELHI: Coal plays a important role in Indian energy security, economy and community, and will for decades to come. The Indian coal sector is of strategic importance to the Indian economy with coal meeting more than 50% of its energy requirements.
Year 2011 was remained eventful for the coal sector in India. There was increased pressure on coal demand in view of increasing industrial activities. A number of initiatives were taken by the Ministry of Coal to match the demands which include streamlining of coal linkages, review of performance of coal blocks allotted and formulation of policy for competiting bidding of coal blocks. Some of the initiatives taken during the year are as under:
Increased Coal Production
During the 2011, from1st April, to 30th November, Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Colleries Company limited (SCCL) together supplied 214.27 million tonnes of coal to the power plants as against the pro-rata ACQ of 282.87 million tonnes indicating overall materialization of about 92%. This was achieved inspite of unprecedented rain this year and long strike in Telangana region affecting coal production Not only that the combined coal production of Coal India Limited (CIL) and SCCL from April 2011 to November, 2011 (provisional) was 277.81 million tonnes as against the pro-rata target of 303.54 million tonnes indicating achievement of 91% of the pro-rata production target.
Maharatna status for CIL
CIL had been a Navratna company since August, 2008. Considering its importance in country’s economy and its achievements, CIL has been conferred with the Maharatna status in April this year. As Maharatna Company, CIL has now been delegated with enhanced financial powers and greater autonomy in its functioning.
Navratna status for Neyveli Lignite Corporation
NLC had been a Miniratna (Category-I) company since 30/08/2004. With the growth of lignite production and increased power generation activities in the region, the financial growth of the company was increased many folds. Considering the same, NLC was conferred with the Navratna status from 11/04/2011. As Navratna company, NLC has been delegated with enhanced financial powers and greater autonomy in its functioning.
Preparation of Mining Plan
To bring up uniformity and to standardize the preparation of Mining plans by the Coal/Lignite block holders, ministry of Coal prepared guidelines for the coal and lignite block(s) during the year.
Compensation for land acquisition
The proposals related to land acquisition and compensation received from coal companies are processed promptly, notified for land acquisition and funds released for payment of compensation. During 2011-12 (up to 30th November, 2011), 50 notifications were issued and Rs. 24.14 crores was released to coal companies for payment of compensation.
Joint Bipartite Committee for the Coal Industry
The Ministry has approved for constitution of the Joint Bipartite Committee for the Coal Industry (JBCCI) – IX has been conveyed to Coal India Limited. CIL has constituted the Committee on 1st August, 2011. JBCCI –IX is tasked to have a ways settlement for a period of 5 years beginning June, 2010.
Review of R&R Policy of CIL
A Committee to review the R&R Policy of Coal India Limited has been constituted under the Chairpersonship of Additional Secretary (Coal) with Members from coal bearing States, Central Ministries and coal companies for suggesting modifications in the R&R Policy in order to meet the reasonable aspirations of project affected persons. The Committee has met twice to discuss the issue.
| Intiatives in Coal Sector During 2011 |
| Year 2011 was remained eventful for the coal sector. There was increased pressure on coal demand in view of increasing industrial activities. A number of initiatives were taken by the ministry to match the demands which include streamlining of coal linkages, review of performance of coal blocks allotted and formulation of policy for competiting bidding of coal blocks. Some of the initiatives taken during the year are as under:
Increased Coal Production During the 2011, from1st April, to 30th November, Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Colleries Company limited (SCCL) together supplied 214.27 million tonnes of coal to the power plants as against the pro-rata ACQ of 282.87 million tonnes indicating overall materialization of about 92%. This was achieved inspite of unprecedented rain this year and long strike in Telangana region affecting coal production Not only that the combined coal production of Coal India Limited (CIL) and SCCL from April 2011 to November, 2011 (provisional) was 277.81 million tonnes as against the pro-rata target of 303.54 million tonnes indicating achievement of 91% of the pro-rata production target. 
Maharatna status for CIL CIL had been a Navratna company since August, 2008. Considering its importance in country’s economy and its achievements, CIL has been conferred with the Maharatna status in April this year. As Maharatna Company, CIL has now been delegated with enhanced financial powers and greater autonomy in its functioning. Navratna status for Neyveli Lignite Corporation NLC had been a Miniratna (Category-I) company since 30/08/2004. With the growth of lignite production and increased power generation activities in the region, the financial growth of the company was increased many folds. Considering the same, NLC was conferred with the Navratna status from 11/04/2011. As Navratna company, NLC has been delegated with enhanced financial powers and greater autonomy in its functioning. Preparation of Mining Plan To bring up uniformity and to standardize the preparation of Mining plans by the Coal/Lignite block holders, ministry of Coal prepared guidelines for the coal and lignite block(s) during the year. Compensation for land acquisition The proposals related to land acquisition and compensation received from coal companies are processed promptly, notified for land acquisition and funds released for payment of compensation. During 2011-12 (up to 30th November, 2011), 50 notifications were issued and Rs. 24.14 crores was released to coal companies for payment of compensation. Joint Bipartite Committee for the Coal Industry The Ministry has approved for constitution of the Joint Bipartite Committee for the Coal Industry (JBCCI) – IX has been conveyed to Coal India Limited. CIL has constituted the Committee on 1st August, 2011. JBCCI –IX is tasked to have a ways settlement for a period of 5 years beginning June, 2010. Review of R&R Policy of CIL A Committee to review the R&R Policy of Coal India Limited has been constituted under the Chairpersonship of Additional Secretary (Coal) with Members from coal bearing States, Central Ministries and coal companies for suggesting modifications in the R&R Policy in order to meet the reasonable aspirations of project affected persons. The Committee has met twice to discuss the issue. |
