Excessive rains and strike by CIL's workers union has led to shortfall in coal production by 17.95 million tonne in the last two months.
Against the target of 87.68 million tonne, the coal production was 69.73 million tonne in the month of September and October, Parliament was informed today.
"As against the monthly target of 40.60 million tonne in September, 2011 and 47.08 million tonne in October, 2011, the coal production was 29.84 million tonne ans 39.89 million tonne. There was, therefore, a shortfall of 10.76 million tonne during September, 2011 and 7.19 million tonne during October," Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said in a reply to the Lok Sabha.
The minister said excessive rains in September, one day strike by Coal India's (CIL's) workers union, festivals in October and law and order problems caused the shortfall.
"The main reasons for shortfall in production are excessive rainfall in the month of September and one day nationwide bandh called by coal workers union in demand of additional annual bonus. Law and order problem mainly in Jharkhand and Orissa," the minister said.
Jaiswal, however, stated that efforts were being made to make up the shortfall during the remaining months of the year.
Dispatches to thermal power plants in the last two months by CIL, which accounts for 80% of the domestic coal production, have declined, he said.
"During September and October, 2011, dispatches of coal and products by CIL, to thermal power plants declined by 9% from 48.05 million tonne during the corresponding period last year to 43.60 million tonne (provisional)," he said.