The coal ministry has released its own citizen’s/client’s charter for 2012 calender year with a resolve to augment production through government companies as well as captive mining route by adopting state-of-the-art and clean coal technologies with a view to improve productivity, safety, quality and ecology.
The ministry has also specified the time line for various services and transactions.
The ministry has explained that its vision is “to secure availability of quality coal to meet the demand of various sectors of the economy in a sustainable, cost-effective and eco-friendly manner”.
The charter was released on January 20, a couple of days after the CEOs of power companies met coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal citing key issues in the availability of coal and its impact on generation. He had assured that Coal India would increase the supply of the combustible raw material under new fuel supply agreements to nearly three-fourth from the current half. Jaiswal also asked the state-controlled mining company to reduce the quantity of coal it auctions; instead divert it to the existing power plants. The coal dispatches by the Kolkata-headquartered entity during April 1 till November 30, 2011, were 192.55 million tonnes (mt) as against the pro rata annual contracted quantity of 215 mt.
A senior coal ministry official, who was involved in drafting the charter and now responsible for its implementation, said the charter was modified at its level this time -- and released. “This is for the benefit of stake holders and consumers that include the power sector, steel industry, cement industry, sponge iron and other small and medium enterprises consuming coal and citizens,” he told Business Standard. Besides, the charter has released specific time-line for services and transactions to be done with the ministries of power, railways, shipping and surface transport and defence and captive coal block allottees.
The official informed that the ministry would make “every attempt” to augment the resource base by enhancing exploration efforts with thrust on increasing proved resources and facilitate the development of necessary infrastructure for prompt evacuation of coal.
According to the charter, the ministry has accorded a weightage of 15 for the release of funds to the nodal/implementing agency in 45 days. Further, it has indicated that the grant of recognition as qaualified person to prepare mining plan under the MMDR Act, 1957, would be done in 45 days (10 weightage). The reply to applicant would be sent in 60 days (9 weightage). A similar time-line has been specified under several heads and pertinent officials with their names, email and phone numbers.
The ministry had informed Parliament that the assessed demand for Annual Plan 2011-12 was 696.03 mt. However, the supply from indigenous availability (including 5 mt stock liquidation) has been finalised at 559 mt. The gap of 137.03 mt between demand and supply was envisaged to be met through import of coal which is on Open General License.
As per the draft report of the Working Group on Coal & Lignite set up for formulation of 12th Five Year Plan, the gap between demand & supply of coal may increase to more than 185 mt in the terminal year (2016-17) of 12th Five Year Plan.
