Notified coal prices not to increase: Govt

"There is no plan to increase the notified prices of coal this year. Instead, we will enhance our production and reduce operational costs," Minister of State for Coal Santosh Bagrodia said.

The notified prices of coal sold to firms in power, steel and other sectors varies between an average Rs 600 and 1,600 per tonne, depending on its grade.     

Bagrodia said the government is taking steps to augment coal production and also utilise non-mineable deposits that are available in plenty.     

He said a global tender would be floated shortly to invite potential players for taking up gas-beneficiation of non-mineable deposits of hundreds of tonne in the country.     

He said the government plans to allow open cast mining beyond the depth of 300 metres to extract more coal. On the government's agenda is also to ensure cent per cent washing of coal, which is transported beyond 1,000 km stretch by end of the current plan, he added.     

Though the minister exuded confidence in achieving the coal production target of 732 million tonne (MT) in the current plan, he candidly admitted the government, as of now, does not have a plan to go beyond 600 MT of coal production.     

Listing his priority for the sector, he said his top-most agenda is to make India self-sufficient in coal. He informed that e-sale of the fossil fuel is expected to touch 50 MT mark by Friday.