IANS | 12 Dec, 2023
There are plans to enhance the production of coal in the country to
1.5 billion tonnes by 2029-30 to meet the growing demand for the fuel,
Minister of Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi told the Rajya Sabha on Monday.
For
the smooth transit of coal to end-users, steps are also being taken to
improve evacuation infrastructure through new rail projects and to
mechanized coal loading through First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects,
he said in the written reply.
The government has initiated several steps to ramp up domestic coal production in order to achieve self-reliance.
Some
of the major initiatives undertaken include Single Window Clearance,
amendment of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
to allow captive mines to sell up to 50 per cent of their annual
production after meeting the requirement of the end use plants,
production through MDO mode, increasing use of mass production
technologies, new projects and expansion of existing projects, and
auction of coal blocks to private companies/PSUs for commercial mining.
The Government has also allowed 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for commercial mining.
Coal
India Limited has planned to enhance its coal production through
expansion of mines (brownfield projects), opening of new mines
(greenfield projects), mechanization and modernization of its mines,
both UG & OC.
The minister also said that the government was ensuring that environmental norms are being complied with.
Before
opening new mine/project, prior Environmental Clearance and Forestry
Clearance have to be secured from various regulatory agencies.
All
mines also have to secure, NoC from Central Ground Water Authority for
extraction of ground water before commencement of mining operation.
The
regular environmental monitoring with respect to ambient air quality,
effluent quality, noise level monitoring and ground water (both levels
and quality) are monitored and reports are submitted to the Ministry
Environment and Forests as well as State Pollution Control Boards and
Central Ground Water Board.
Various carbon emission reduction
measures are undertaken which are regularly augmented. These include
measures to control air and water pollution and steps for land
reclamation.
Besides, third party evaluation of compliance of
environment control conditions and environmental performance Indexing,
the minister added.
