Bhubaneswar: Coal production at all 34 Schedule-II mines, including one in Orissa, should begin by March 31, according to a target fixed by the Centre, Union coal secretary Anil Swarup said here Friday.
“We would attempt to remove bottlenecks so that at least the Schedule-II mines can begin production before March 31,” said Swarup after a review meeting with representatives of seven states, including Orissa.
The meeting was held to iron out bottlenecks in the development of coal blocks across the country. Steps to enhance coal production and strengthen logistics and infrastructure were also discussed.
The 34 Schedule-II mines have remained closed following a Supreme Court verdict two-and-half-years ago.
Swarup said 10 captive mines auctioned by the government have already started mining and others are in process. “This will augment the availability of coal in the country. Coal India has achieved record production this year. There is a surplus availability of coal at power plants this year with inventories of 25 days as against five-seven days last year,” he said.
The coal secretary said the Centre also wants to ensure that the captive mines also start moving.
Swarup also held a meeting with the Chief Secretary, as well as forest and mines officials of the state government, and discussed various issues, including those related to increasing the output of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL).
About coal block allocation to the state government for commercial mining, he said, “In-principle decision has been taken for grant of blocks (coal) for commercial mining by the state government. Now specific application has to be moved by the state government. I advise the state government that we will be putting notice during next 15 days and the state government has to apply for that.”
“The initial decision of the Centre has already been taken in terms of allocating coal blocks for commercial mining by entities of the state government,” he said. The state government had earlier asked the Centre to allocate coal blocks for its two entities.
“We had another round of coal auction but on the account of availability of record coal within the country there was not much interest in the private sector in terms of taking over those mines. So we will wait for the time when there is a greater demand for coal and then we will put those blocks on auction,” Swarup said about the next round of coal auction. PNN
