India’s coal output rises 9.2%, aims for self-reliance: Minister Pralhad Joshi

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New Delhi: Domestic coal production rose 9.2% year-on-year up to July 2023, Union minister of coal and mines Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday.In a written response to Lok Sabha, the minister outlined the government’s efforts to escalate indigenous coal production while curtailing non-essential imports. “As per the existing import policy, coal is kept under Open General License (OGL) and consumers are free to import coal from the source of their choice as per their contractual agreement on payment of applicable duty. Most of the requirement of coal in the country is met through indigenous production.

The focus of the government is on increasing domestic production of coal and eliminating non-essential import of coal," the minister said. India’s coal output is seen touching a record 1 billion tonne in FY24. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has indicated an increase in the receipt of domestic coal by the power sector.

This receipt has ascended from 569.5 million tonne during 2019-20 to 731.7 million tonne during the financial year 2022-23, demonstrating a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. A noteworthy decline in coal imports by the power sector was observed during April 2023 – June 2023, dropping from 16.36 million tonne in the corresponding period the previous year to 14.21 million tonne. As per the Daily Coal Report (DCR) of the CEA, the coal stock available as on 5 August with thermal power plants stood at 32.09 MT, sufficient for around 16 days of consumption.