India: Coal ministry to increase coal production to 12 percent

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

31 Aug 2008

To boost the growth of the Indian economy, the Coal ministry has decided to increase coal production by 12 per cent, deliver quality coal to consumers and have zero tolerance on safety provisions and corruption, Union minister Santosh Bagrodia on Sunday. "Presently Indian economy is growing by eight or nine percent. And I personally feel, matching the economies of the US and the european countries requires a growth rate of 15 per cent or 20 per cent", Bagrodiasaid. "For this need energy is required and we have decided to increase coal production from the previous five percent to twelve percent," the union minister of state for Coal said here.
Warning that his ministry would not hesitate to relocate officials if found lax in the increase of production and monitoring coal blocs, the minister said he would not compromise on safety measures and corruption.
"Every employee of Coal India is as important as any other person of the country. Safety equipment should be made available," he added.
Stating that there was no shortage of coal, the minister said transportation had been a hindrance for coal supply and that his ministry was in touch with the Railways for allocation of more wagons.
On e-sale of coal, the minister said ever since he took over charge, the ministry reduced the premium to five percent from 30 per cent. "From September the margin would come down to zero percent. There will be no premium in e-sale."
Terming land acquisition as a big problem, Bagrodia said his ministry would see to it that land-giver was 'paid all the coppers' for his land during acquisition of land.

Source: PTI