Decades of lockdown ends: PM launches auction of coal mines
Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a two-stage electronic auction of coal blocks for commercial mining, saying this will make India self-reliant energy-wise, and help all sectors. "We are not just launching the auction for commercial coal mining today, but bringing the coal sector out of decades of lockdown," he announced. He reiterated that the coronavirus crisis must be turned into an opportunity.
Ordinance removing restrictions from coal bidding was approved in January
In January, the Union Cabinet approved the Promulgation of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020, which allowed holding companies and subsidiaries to use coal "in any of its subsidiaries or holding companies". Companies that didn't have coal mine operations in India were also allowed to participate in auctions. In August 2019, the government also allowed 100% FDI in coal mining for sale through an open route.
Despite available in abundance, India imports coal
These steps were taken to minimize India's coal imports and encourage more use of coal reserves, which were restricted to the steel and power industry. Despite having the fourth-largest coal reserve in the world, India imported 235 million tonnes of coal last year, revealed Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi. India's reserves could have easily made up for 135 million tonnes of this import, he added.
The ordinance will boost production: CII President Vikram Kirloskar
Welcoming the move, CII President Vikram Kirloskar had said, "The opening up of coal sector without end-use restrictions will also boost both production and mining efficiency, besides substituting import of coal worth approximately Rs. 30,000 crore."
Coal found a mention in the 'Aatmnirbhar Bharat' package too
Last month, when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman detailed the fine-print of the Rs. 20 lakh crore Aatmnirbhar Bharat package, announced by PM Modi to help the battered economy, she mentioned coal too. She announced Rs. 50,000 crore aid for the development of the sector. Sitharaman announced the government will bring about "competition, transparency, private sector participation" in the coal sector via "revenue sharing mechanism".
It's a win-win situation: PM Modi
Today, green-lighting the auction, PM Modi said it's time to become self-reliant. "The government has taken an important decision to open up coal, mining sector to competition, capital, and technology. Commercial coal block auction is a win-win for industry users and states," he went on. The auction of 41 coals blocks could get Rs. 33,000 crore of capital investment in the next 5-7 years.
He spoke about four other projects, but didn't elaborate
"We have set a target to gasify around 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030. I have been told that 4 projects have been identified for this and about Rs. 20,000 crore will be invested in them," PM Modi added.
Have to dream of diamonds: PM Modi
The prime minister said that for decades India's coal reserves were stuck in a web of captive and non-captive, remained out of competition, and there was no transparency. This decision, along with other steps taken since 2014, will rectify the same, he claimed. "Maamla to koyle ka hai, par heere ke sapne dekh ke chalna hai," the BJP leader went on.
