Excessive rains and a strike by Coal India workers’ union have led to a shortfall in coal production by 17.95 million tonnes in the last two months. Against the target of 87.68 million tonnes, the production was 69.73 million tonnes in September and October.

Mr Sriprakash Jaiswal coal minister in a reply to the Lok Sabha said that “As against the monthly target of 40.60 million tonnes in September 2011 and 47.08 million tonnes in October 2011, the coal production was 29.84 million tonnes and 39.89 million tonnes...There was, therefore, a shortfall of 10.76 million tonnes during September, 2011 and 7.19 million tonnes during October.”

The minister said excessive rains in September a one day strike by Coal India’s workers’ union, festivals in October and law and order problems caused the shortfall.

The minister said that “The main reasons for shortfall in production...are excessive rainfall in the month of September...one-day nationwide bandh called by workers’ union...in demand of additional annual bonus....law and order problem mainly in Jharkhand and Orissa.”

Mr Jaiswal however, stated that efforts were being made to make up the shortfall during the remaining months of the year. He said that dispatches to thermal power plants in the last two months by Coal India Ltd which accounts for 80% of the domestic coal production.

(Sourced from BL)