Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said Saturday that there is sufficient coal available in the country as 72.50 million tonnes (MT) of dry fuel is available from various sources and 22 million tonnes in thermal power plants.
The minister assured that available coal stocks would last a month and the availability would be replenished daily with record production.
Mr Joshi said there are currently 72.50 tonnes of coal at various sources owned by Coal India Ltd. (CIL), Singareni Collieries Company Ltd. (SCCL) and coal washeries are available.
According to the government’s preliminary data, total coal production in FY21-22 was 777.23 tons, compared with 716 tons in FY21, an 8.55% growth, the coal ministry said in a statement.
The production of Coal India Ltd. (CIL) increased 4.43% to 622.64 MT in FY22 from 596.24 MT in FY21. SCCL recorded growth of 28.55% to 65.02 MT in FY22 versus 50.58 MT in FY22 21
At the same time, coal production from its own mines increased to 89.57 MT. During FY21 it was only 69.18 MT.
Total coal shipments in FY22 increased 18.43% to 818.04 tonnes versus 690.71 tonnes in FY21.
CIL accounts for more than 80% of domestic coal production.
Heat waves in several parts of India, resulting increases in electricity demand and fears of a coal shortage have triggered planned power outages in many states in the country, including Maharashtra.
Union Minister Raosaheb Danve said there was enough coal to power power plants and claimed the Maharashtra government was busy blaming the center rather than providing electricity to citizens.
Maharashtra Energy Minister Nitin Raut had previously said the load shedding in the state was due to increased electricity demand, the easing of COVID-19 curbs and blamed the center for poor management of coal supplies.
