Coal Imports to India declined
Context:
Recently, the coal imports to India declined by 5.35% between April and November 2024, saving ₹30,007 crore, highlighting the government’s stance on reducing coal imports and boosting domestic production to achieve self-reliance in the energy sector.
Relevance:
GS – 3 (Mineral & Energy Resources, Energy Security)
Key Highlights:
Reduction in Coal Imports:
- Coal imports declined by 5.35% between April and November 2024, saving ₹30,007 crore.
- Imports for power plant blending fell by 23.56% due to domestic production growth.
Record Domestic Production & Policy Reforms:
- Coal production hit an all-time high of 997.82 million metric tonnes (MT) in FY 2023-24.
- The introduction of commercial coal mine auctions in 2020 increased private sector participation.
Coal’s Contribution to Economy & Infrastructure:
- The coal sector supports 50% of Indian Railways’ freight revenue and employs 4.78 lakh people.
- State governments earned ₹31,281 crore in coal-related revenue through taxes and royalties.
Sustainability & Green Initiatives:
- 54 lakh trees were planted across 2,372 hectares in 2024.
- 18,513 LKL of treated mine water provided drinking water to 18.63 lakh people in rural areas.
Technological & Infrastructure Advancements:
- ₹8,500 crore allocated for coal gasification projects, targeting 100 MT production by 2030.
- Plans to establish a coal trading exchange for market efficiency and transparency.
Coal Sector in Indian Economy:
- The Indian coal sector is one of the eight core sectors significantly contributing to the country’s economic development.
- India has four grades of coal:
- Lignite
- Bituminous
- Sub-Bituminous
- Anthracite (Anthracite is the highest grade).
- Geographical Distribution:
- Over 70% of India’s coal reserves are located in the South-Central region, specifically in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.
- Production and Global Standing:
- India is the second-largest producer of anthracite globally, following China.
- India holds nearly a 9% share of global coal production.
- Economic Contribution: The mining sector, including coal, contributes over 2% to India’s total GDP.
Related Posts
