India, July 20 -- The Government of India has issued a release:

The key initiatives taken by the Government to increase coal production and reduce dependence on imports in the country are as under:

In addition to the above, coal companies have also taken the following steps to increase domestic coal production:

Most of the requirement of coal in the country is met through indigenous production / supply. The focus of the Government is on increasing the domestic production of coal and to eliminate non-essential import of coal in the country.

The efforts made by the Government to encourage use of domestically produced coal and to reduce coal import dependency are as under:

Following the launch of commercial coal mine auctions in June 2020, a total of 132 coal blocks have been allocated under the commercial coal mining. Out of these 23 coal blocks have obtained Mine Opening Permission (MOP) and 15 coal blocks are under coal production. The remaining 109 allocated coal blocks are progressing within the scheduled development timelines prescribed under the Coal Mine Development and Production Agreement (CMDPA).

To promote environmental sustainability in Coal/Lignite mines in the country, initiatives such as plantation/ bio-reclamation, mine water utilization for community use, development of eco-parks and adoption of energy efficiency measures have been taken.

Further, the Coal Block Development and Production Agreement for commercial mining executed between Successful Bidder and Nominated Authority mandates that the Successful Bidder shall implement mechanised coal extraction, transport and evacuation in the coal mine, in line with modern and prevalent technologies. Accordingly, the Successful Bidder shall strive to minimise the carbon footprints from operations at the coal mine, undertake steps to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainability, in accordance with Good Industry Practice.

In addition to the above, coal companies have also taken the following steps for the sustainable development of the coal mines while ensuring environmental protection:

The major steps taken by the Government for rehabilitation of local people are as under:

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Shri Satish Chandra Dubey in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.