GoM on coal to meet again on July 2

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on coal today decided to collect all the data about projects that are being affected due to coal production issues and would meet again on July 2.

"The GoM will meet again on July 2. Decisions (on a boarder basis) are likely to be taken at that time..," Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told reporters here after the meeting.

The panel, set up in February to sort out tussles between ministries on the environmental norms affecting projects, especially in the coal sector, met for the third time today. The GoM's meetings in February and April were inconclusive.

"In principle, it was decided that by July 2, the entire data should be collected. (Data) on pending as well as upcoming projects (related to coal) and expected production from these projects would be gathered (by next meeting)," Jaiswal said.

According to him, a lot of issues such as ways to raise coal production and fulfill power generation requirements were discussed at today's meeting. "However, no decision was taken," he added.

Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who is part of the 12-member GoM, expressed optimism that issues related to coal would be resolved.

"We have set a (power capacity addition) target of 80,000 MW in the 12th five-year plan... If we don't get enough coal, there could be a reduction in the target. As of now, we have not (reduced the target)," Shinde said.