New Delhi, Dec 19: The Coal Ministry has announced plans to auction 26 coal mines for commercial purposes in the upcoming round on December 20 as part of the government’s efforts to boost domestic coal production. The mines put up for auction are distributed across Madhya Pradesh (12 mines), Chhattisgarh (8 mines), Jharkhand (5 mines) and Telangana (1 mine).
Of the total, seven mines have been fully explored, while 19 have been partially explored. According to an official statement, three mines will be introduced under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act 2015 (CMSP), while the remaining 23 will come under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act 1957.
Unlike previous commercial coal mine auctions, this time there is no restriction on the sale or use of coal. The Coal Ministry aims to simplify the process by launching a single-window clearance system portal to facilitate obtaining various clearances for expeditious operation of coal mines. This streamlined approach is expected to increase coal production by providing a unified platform for necessary approvals.
The government has been proactive in addressing the increasing demand for coal in a rapidly growing economy. In the current financial year, till November 2023, the country has witnessed a significant increase in coal production, reaching about 591.40 million metric tonnes (MT), an increase of 13% compared to the same period last year, when 524.72 metric tons were produced. The increase in domestic production has contributed to a 5% decline in coal imports during April to September 2023 compared to the corresponding period of the previous financial year. These initiatives are in line with the government’s strategy to increase self-reliance in coal production and reduce dependence on imports.
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