India spent more than Rs 3.85 lakh crore on importing coal last year, says government

New Delhi: The country spent more than Rs 3.85 lakh crore on coal imports last year, the government said on Thursday.

Though the share of coal import in total consumption came down from 26 per cent to 21 per cent in the last five years, India is importing more

than 200 million tonnes (MT) of dry fuel every year, incurring huge foreign exchange outflow.

“The goal of coal ministry is to enhance coal production to ensure adequate availability of coal for fast growing economy of the country. As a result of efforts of the ministry, the share of imports in total consumption reduced from 26 per cent to to 21 per cent during last 5 years,” it said.

Meanwhile, the ministry said it is deeply concerned about protecting forests and no coal mine has been auctioned by ignoring suggestions of the environment ministry.

For example, it said, the plea of Chhattisgarh to de-notify coal mines falling under Lemru Elephant Corridor has been accepted.

Areas beyond Lemru Elephant Corridor have also been considered for exemption on the request of the state government.

“Over 40 new coal blocks having about 10 per cent of reserve of Chhattisgarh has been decided to be kept out of coal mining,” it said.

Nine coal mines falling in dense Hasdeo-Arand coal field have also been kept out for further round of auctions of coal blocks.

Similarly, the request of Tamil Nadu to exclude three lignite mines from further auction process has also been accepted. These decisions of Ministry of Coal clearly indicate our responsibility to protect forest areas despite industry demands to put them under auction, the ministry added.

Meanwhile, the coal ministry said procurement through Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has exceeded the target for the current year.

GeM is an online platform for public procurement in the country.

“As on October 15, 2023, the Ministry of Coal has surpassed its GeM procurement target for the current year, reaching Rs 28,665 crore, out of the total procurement of Rs 39,607 crore,” an official statement said.

In FY 2020-21, the platform facilitated a total e-procurement of Rs 477 crore.

From FY21 to FY23, e-procurement through GeM has shown continuous growth, according to the ministry.

“The percentage of procurement through GeM out of total procurement has significantly increased, from 0.49 per cent in FY 2020-21 to 72 per cent in FY 2023-24 (till October 15),”

it added.