Draft bill for coal regulator may be tabled next session

Union Coal Minister Shriprakash Jaiswal today said that the draft bill for setting up the coal regulator is almost ready and is likely to be tabled in the next session of the Parliament.

"To remove petty irregularities in the coal sector and to streamline operations a draft bill for setting up a coal regulator is almost final and will be tabelled in the next session," Jaiswal told reporters here.

He said that on certain issues the regulator can take action without taking approval of the government.

The minister said that for power generation other than coal there is no safe alternative in the world.

He said that though considering nuclear energy as an alternative UPA government signed an agreement with the US, after tragedy in Japan its concern has increased.

Jaiswal said that for increasing coal production by keeping the environment safe, the ministry has evolved a middle path. Under this, aforestation of land would be ensured.
    
Expressing hope that the total coal production would increase by 10% next week, the minister said that due to lack of environment clearences target of 55 lakh tonne coal production could not be achieved this year.
    
On being asked that whether Environment Ministry was creating hurdles in increasing coal production Jaiswal said, "they are doing their work and we are doing ours. To find measures to increase coal production without affecting environment a Group of Ministers was constituted and we decided on aforestation."
    
On Coal India getting the status of Maharatna, Jaiswal said that the company was rewarded for its extraordinary performance in production, safety, mining and implementing labour laws.
    
On being asked about Congress supporting SP candidate Rajmati Nishad, wife of former minister Jamuna Prasad Nishad, in by-election for Pipraich assembly seat, Jaiswal said that the support has been given to a person and not to the party.
    
The Congress has announced support to Rajmati as a tribute to former minister and no other conclusion should be drwan from it, he said.