Source - www.mydigitalfc.com

Despite being world's third largest coal producer, country's coal demand is not being met fully. Power shortages have been order of the day due to short supply of coal. Companies across several sectors have been crying fowl over domestic coal allocation, supply and shortage. In an exclusive interview with Mr Siddhartha P Saikia, the Union coal minister Mr Sriprakash Jaiswal discusses issues bogging the sector and action plan to maintain coal supplies.

Q - India ranks among leading countries with huge coal reserves but we still face shortages. What is the coal ministry’s plan of action?

A - We are identifying new coal blocks that would be allocated for mining. Mines would be given to government companies on nomination basis, while it will be put up for bidding to private companies. We will put up these blocks on e-auction in next two-three months. We will consider the demand from government firms such as NTPC and keep some reserves for Coal India.

Q - Over 200 coal blocks have already been allotted to state-run and private companies, but very few of them are operational?

A - This time, there will be prior permission for mining to allocated blocks. Basic regulatory clearances will be offered on these blocks before allocating them to companies.

To read full transcript, please visit www.steelguru.com