Commercial mining is not subject to Coal India; PM’s announcement misconstrued

After the announcement of ‘commercial mining’ by the Prime Minister, the Coal PSUs have made it clear that the interests of State-run Coal India and its subsidiaries are safeguarded. Commercial mining is not subjected to Coal India. According to official sources in Coal PSUs, 41 commercial coal mining blocks are not owned by Coal India. Presently, Coal India has 463 coal blocks and is able to produce coals for next 100 years to generate power in the country. Coal India has targeted 1 billion tonne coal production in the 2023-24 year. Coal India will remain the largest coal producing company in future too, the official sources made it clear. The private players venturing into the coal sector will be liable to follow labour laws and rules and regulations set by the Government of India. Besides, DGMS, CCO, State Pollution Control Board and other agencies will watch their activities. The government of India aims at generating jobs and reducing import of coal from other countries. Private investments will open the floodgates for job opportunities stemming the flow of migration.