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New Delhi [India], September 18 (ANI): The five-day special session of Parliament is all set to begin on Monday during which the parliamentary proceedings will shift from the old to the adjacent new state-of-the-art building on September 19. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs <keyword id="221548" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pralhad-joshi" source="Orion">Pralhad Joshi</keyword> on Sunday stated that the Session will provide 5 sittings spread over a period of 5 days, besides informing that eight legislative items are likely to be taken up during this session. "Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha - achievements, experiences, memories and learnings" will also be discussed. On Sunday, Vice President <keyword id="7889551" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="jagdeep-dhankhar" source="Orion">Jagdeep Dhankhar</keyword> hoisted the national flag atop "Gaja Dwar" of the new Parliament building. <keyword id="6355187" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="Orion">Lok Sabha</keyword> Speaker Om Birla was also present on the occasion. The Special Session of the Parliament will be held from September 18 to 22. After weeks of no information about the agenda, the government last week announced an agenda that included bills to be taken up for consideration and a discussion on "Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha - achievements, experiences, memories and learnings". Earlier, on Sunday, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Joshi requested all parties for active cooperation and support for the smooth functioning of the two Houses of Parliament. The meeting of all the floor leaders of political parties in the Parliament was attended by various ministers including Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who is also Leader of the House in <keyword id="48510" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="Orion">Rajya Sabha</keyword>, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Union Minister V Muraleedharan and 51 leaders from 34 parties. Joshi shared with leaders that there would be a photo session from 10.00 am to 10.45 am on September 19, 2023, followed by a function in the Central Hall starting at 11.00 am which will be graced by the Vice-President/Chairman, Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister, Speaker, Lok Sabha, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Leader of Largest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha and the Members of both the Houses of Parliament. After the conclusion of the function in the Central Hall, both Houses will meet in their respective Chambers in the New Parliament House. The announcement of the Special Session came as a surprise in political circles with the parties gearing up for assembly polls in five states later this year. Meanwhile, four bills including a bill to regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are part of the legislative business of the government for the session. Apart from the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, introduced in Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session on August 10, the list includes 'The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023' and 'The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023', already passed by Rajya Sabha on August 3. The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023 amends the Advocates Act, 1961, while the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 repeals the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. Besides, 'The Post Office Bill, 2023' has also been listed in the Lok Sabha business. The bill was earlier introduced in Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2023 and it repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898. (ANI)

Special session of Parliament set to begin today

New Delhi, The Congress on Wednesday gave a notice on moving a <keyword id="394128" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="no-confidence-motion" source="Orion">no-confidence motion</keyword> against the Narendra Modi-led central government in the <keyword id="6355187" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="Orion">Lok Sabha</keyword> over the <keyword id="6359754" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="manipur" source="Orion">Manipur</keyword> issue.Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi will move the motion, party's whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore told PTI. Although the decision to move the no-confidence motion is that of the united opposition, Gogoi, who is an MP from Assam, will move the motion, he said. "The INDIA alliance is together and this is the idea of the INDIA alliance. Congress party's leader will be moving the motion. We feel that it is our duty to use this last weapon to break the arrogance of the government and make them speak on Manipur," Tagore asserted. He said the notice for the motion was submitted in the Speaker's office at 9.20 am on Wednesday. Meanwhile, BRS MP Nama Nageshwar Rao also submitted a notice to move a no-confidence motion against the Union Council of Ministers. The K Chandrashekar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is not a part of the INDIA alliance. The alliance of 26 opposition parties, INDIA, had decided to move the motion in order to make Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> speak in Parliament on the Manipur violence, senior leaders of the front said. The Congress earlier also issued a whip in the Lower House of Parliament for its members to be present in its parliamentary office by 10.30 am on Wednesday to "discuss some important issues". Although the no-confidence motion by opposition parties is bound to fail the numbers test, opposition parties argue that they will win the battle of perception by cornering the government on the Manipur issue during the debate. They contend that it is also a strategy to make the prime minister speak in Parliament on the crucial matter even as the government has been insisting that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will reply to the debate on the Manipur situation. Earlier in the day, the opposition parties met at the chamber of the Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to chalk out the future course of action.

Congress submits notice on bringing no-confidence motion against Modi govt

Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Parliament on Tuesday to approve the Union Budget ahead of its presentation by <keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword>. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Parliament this morning to attend the cabinet meeting. On Monday, Prime Minister said the Economic Survey highlighted the prevailing strengths of the economy and identifies areas for further growth and progress as the government "moves towards building a Viksit Bharat". Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Pralhad Joshi were also seen arriving in the Parliament earlier for the Cabinet meeting today. At 11 am, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the <keyword id="20387181" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2024-25" source="keywords">Union Budget 2024-25</keyword>. Earlier today, Sitharaman met with President Droupadi Murmu before leaving for Parliament. This would mark Sitharaman's seventh consecutive budget and eclipses the late Moraji Desai's record of six consecutive budgets, which is likely to focus on changes in the income tax structure and improving the ease of doing business in India. Addressing the media, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary earlier said that the first Union Budget of the third Modi government will be based on his mantra of "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas". Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that this budget would accelerate the country's economic growth. "The economic growth that happened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this budget and this Budget will further accelerate it. The budget that will be presented today by Nirmala ji will also help our country, which is the fastest-growing economy," Pralhad Joshi said while speaking to the media on the Parliament premises on Tuesday. The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12. On Monday, the economic survey presented in Parliament by finance minister Sithraman stated that in the medium term, the Indian economy can grow at a rate of 7 per cent. The economic survey stated, "In the medium term, the Indian economy can grow at a rate of 7 per cent plus on a sustained basis if we build on the structural reforms undertaken over the last decade. This requires a tripartite compact between the Union Government, State Governments and the private sector. "The survey further added that India faces a unique blend of opportunities and challenges amid global trends such as geo-economic fragmentation, a push for self-reliance, looming climate change, the rise of technology, and limited policy space. (ANI) SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024 Live Updates: PM Modi arrives in Parliament ahead of Budget 2024 presentation</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024-25: Focus on employment, skilling, MSME and middle class</a>

Union Cabinet meets in Parliament ahead of Budget presentation

<keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> on Tuesday presented the <keyword id="20387181" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget-2024-25" source="keywords">Union Budget 2024-25</keyword> after the Cabinet gave its approval. In her intial comments, Sithamraman said India's economic growth will be a shining exception. "We are determined all Indians regardless of religion and age achieve life goals and aspirations," Sitharman said. The Finance Minister presented first Union Budget of the Modi 3.0 government and her seventh consecutive one during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The Economic Survey 2023-24 was tabled yesterday in the Parliament. Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Parliament today to approve the Union Budget ahead of its presentation by the Finance Minister. This would mark Sitharaman's seventh consecutive budget and eclipses the late Moraji Desai's record of six consecutive budgets, which is likely to focus on changes in the income tax structure and improving the ease of doing business in India. Addressing the media, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary earlier said that the first Union Budget of the third Modi government will be based on his mantra of "Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas". Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that this budget would accelerate the country's economic growth. "The economic growth that happened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this budget and this Budget will further accelerate it. The budget that will be presented today by Nirmala ji will also help our country, which is the fastest-growing economy," Pralhad Joshi said while speaking to the media on the Parliament premises on Tuesday. The budget session of Parliament began on July 22 and, according to schedule, will end on August 12. On Monday, the economic survey presented in Parliament by finance minister Sithraman emphasized the resilience of the Indian economy and its stable post-Covid recovery. The Survey underscored the government's commitment to "Nari Shakti" through various legislative measures and provisions aimed at boosting women's participation in diverse professions. According to the Economic Survey, the budget for women's welfare and empowerment schemes has surged by 218.8 per cent, growing from Rs 97,134 crore (BE) in FY14 to Rs 3.10 lakh crore in FY25. Additionally, the Gender Budget Statement (GBS) has seen a 38.7 per cent increase compared to FY24 BE, with its share in the total Union Budget rising to 6.5 per cent in FY25, the highest since GBS was introduced in FY06. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/union-budget-2024-live-updates-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-key-announcements-23-july/liveblog/111942008.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024 Live Updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present her record seventh consecutive Budget today</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/expectations-from-union-budget-2024-25-how-will-this-budget-impact-you/articleshow/111946291.cms" target="_blank">Union Budget 2024-25: How will this budget impact you?</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/heres-a-quick-overview-of-pm-modi-3-0-governments-first-budget-to-be-presented-by-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-today/articleshow/111944393.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/heres-a-quick-overview-of-pm-modi-3-0-governments-first-budget-to-be-presented-by-fm-nirmala-sitharaman-today/articleshow/111944393.cms" target="_blank">Here's a quick overview of PM Modi 3.0 government's first budget, to be presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman today</a>

"India's economic growth will be shining exception" FM Nirmala Sitharaman presents Union Budget 2024-25

Asking states to stop thermalcoal <keyword id="35091" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="imports">imports</keyword>, the government in Rajya Sabha on Monday saidthat a lobby was active in some states that was behind dry-fuel imports despite sufficient domestic stock.Replying to a query in the Upper House during <keyword id="8915837" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="questionhour">QuestionHour</keyword>, Coal Minister <keyword id="221548" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pralhad-Joshi">Pralhad Joshi</keyword> said India houses the fourthlargest resources in the world yet thermal coals were beingimported and should be stopped. "There is no hesitation in saying that in many statessome import lobby is also working. Though in last three-fourmonths we have enough stock some of the Gencos are importing.This is the major problem," Joshi said. Making it clear that he was not politicising the issue,the minister said many states are importing thermal coal whichis substitutable. "I have written to all chief ministers including ofMadhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Punjab, Rajasthan,Maharashtra, <keyword id="6357783" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="West-bengal">West Bengal</keyword>, Telangana, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadurequesting them to direct all Gencos to maximise the coallifting and stop coal imports," he said. The minister said he has also asked Power Minister R KSingh to ask NTPC to totally stop the imports. All thermal power plants have a stock of 23 days whichis the highest ever in ecent history, he added. The minister cautioned states to utilise domestic coal ona priority basis as the present stock has a maximum life of 30years. The minister said though coal production this yearremained impacted due to "incessant and unprecedented" rains,the production increased post December. On commercial mining, he said a new system for E auctionof mines has been put in place besides stringent actionagainst non-performers. Also, captive mine owners have been allowed to sell 25per cent of the coal over and above end-use. Thermal coal is used in power generation. About coking coal which is mostly used in steelproduction, the minister said the country has not sufficientstock but Jharia coalmines which has the highest such stockwas being redeveloped. "Jharia Redevelopment Authority is there. We aresupporting that ...Rehabiliation will done at the earliest,"he said in reply to a supplementary. India imported 235.24 million tonnes of coal in 2018-19whereas imports for the current fiscal up to December stood at186.64, the minister said. The value of imported coal during last fiscal wasestimated at USD 2,4513 million.

Coal imports should be curbed says minister who accuses lobbies at play

New Delhi [India], July 20 (ANI): The Monsoon session of <keyword id="6354721" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="parliament" source="Orion">Parliament</keyword> begins on Thursday amidst outrage over the situation in <keyword id="6359754" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="manipur" source="Orion">Manipur</keyword> with the Opposition demanding a statement from the Prime Minister of India. Parliamentary Affairs Minister <keyword id="145705" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="prahlad-joshi" source="Orion">Prahlad Joshi</keyword> has said that 31 bills will be taken up in the monsoon session. Among these include the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023. Other important legislations that are expected to be taken up in the Session are the Bill to replace the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, promulgated in May this year. The ordinance deals with the control of services in Delhi and was promulgated after the Supreme Court verdict on an appeal by the Delhi government. Parliamentary Affairs Minister yesterday said that 34 parties and 44 leaders participated in the all-party meeting convened by the government for smooth conduct of the monsoon session which will continue to till August 11 and will have 17 sittings. Other Bills on the agenda of the government include Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2019; DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019; Mediation Bill, 2021; Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2022 ; Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022; Repealing and Amending Bill, 2022; Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023; Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023; Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Third Amendment) Bill, 2022 (with respect to State of Himachal Pradesh); Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Fifth Amendment) Bill, 2022 (with respect to State of Chhattisgarh); Postal Services Bill, 2023; National Cooperative University Bill, 2023; and Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The list also includes International Monetary Fund and Bank Bill, 2023; Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023 18; the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023; National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023; Drugs, Medical Devices and Cosmetics Bill, 2023; Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2023; <keyword id="6357972" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jammu" source="Orion">Jammu</keyword> and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023; Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023. Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2023; National Research Foundation Bill, 2023; Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023; Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023 are also among the 31 bills on the agenda of the government. Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, was approved by the Union Cabinet earlier this month. This government had withdrawn Personal Data Protection Bill from Parliament in August last and said that it will come up with a fresh bill. Supreme Court had ruled in 2017 that privacy is a fundamental right and the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, is a crucial pillar of the overarching framework of technology regulations being framed by the Centre. The previous version of the bill had come after an extensive consultation process with a Joint Parliamentary Committee also examining it. The government has held another round of consultations to frame the new bill. The Bill to replace the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023, seeks to establish the National Capital Civil Services Authority, which consists of the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary of Delhi, Principal Home Secretary of Delhi. The Authority will make recommendations to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) regarding transfers and postings of officials and disciplinary matters. While the government is expected to give push to its legislative agenda, the Opposition parties have planned to raise several issues including Manipur violence, railway safety, unemployment, inflation, India-China border standoff and trade imbalance between the two countries. Pralhad Joshi said the government has sought the Opposition's support in the smooth functioning of the Parliament during the Monsoon Session. "The government is ready to discuss all issues in the Monsoon Session. We have appealed to the Opposition parties to support in the smooth functioning of the Parliament," Joshi said after the all-party meeting yesterday. Some of the parties have planned to move an adjournment motion over Manipur violence among other issues on day one of the Parliament's Monsoon Session today. The opposition insisted that the discussion should take place in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress on Wednesday said that the party will raise Manipur violence during the session. "Today, in the beginning (of the meeting), I kept my point. Our first issue is the violence in Manipur. Prime Minister should come and answer in Parliament. We will bring adjourment motion over the matter tomorrow," Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Choudhary said after attending the all-party meeting. <keyword id="6355187" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="Orion">Lok Sabha</keyword> Speaker Om Birla also chaired a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee ahead of the session. He said, leaders of all parties have assured cooperation in the proceedings of the House. (ANI)

Parliament Monsoon session begins today; 31 bills likely to be taken up

New Delhi, June 18 () India is expected to save around Rs 30,000 crore annually on import bill of thermal coal on account of commercial mining of blocks, Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Thursday. He said the country still imports one-fifth of its annual coal requirements and spends precious foreign exchange on it. "Once commercial mining picks up, thermal coal being imported is likely to be substituted, saving in potential import bill of around Rs 30,000 crore per annum or nearly USD 5 billion per year," the minister said at the launch event of blocks for commercial mining here. Joshi said the opening of the coal sector to private companies is expected to generate employment for more than three lakh people. Since these coal mines are situated in the backward regions of the country, commercial coal mining is expected to contribute about Rs 20,000 crore annually to these states as revenue and strengthen the development of local economies, he said. Commercial coal mining is a step towards an open market and a more liberalised regime with greater freedom to the investors to tap the market opportunity, he said. The minister also emphasised that the welfare provisions for coal workers in the commercial mines will be at par with what Coal India (CIL) provides. "Let there be no worry that there will be different yardsticks for private and public mining," he stressed. Of the 41 blocks put on sale, 34 are fully explored, four are partly explored and three are regionally explored. Eleven of these mines are in Madhya Pradesh, followed by nine each in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand and three in Maharashtra. The mines includes, Bander (Maharashtra), Brahmadiha (Jharkhand), Chendipada (Odisha), Fatehpur East (Chhattisgarh), Gotitoria East (Madhya Pradhesh). All types of coal blocks are available for bidding as there are 37 non-coking, two coking and two combo mines i.e. coking plus non-coking, the coal ministry said. Similarly, choice of all categories of mines are available to opt from the basket of 26 opencast, seven underground and eight underground-cum-opencast mines, it added. Mines with varied sizes of coal reserves have been put for auction with 31 mines having up to 500 million tonnes (MT), four mines over 500 MT to up to 1,000 MT, three mines over 1,000 MT to 1,500 MT and remaining three mines having over 1,500 MT to 2,000 MT geological coal reserves. The coal ministry said that 27 mines have peak rated capacity up to five million tonnes per annum (MTPA), nine over five MTPA up to 10 MTPA and remaining five mines having more than 10 MTPA capacity. Joshi also emphasised on the massive capital expenditure and employment plan for coal bearing regions. "We propose to invest in forward and backward linkages for a vibrant coal economy," he added. To prepare the coal sector for efficient transition and orderly development, the Ministry of Coal has taken a decision to create administrative coal regulator by vesting the coal controller with certain regulatory functions. This will help boost the investor confidence, he said. The government, he said, has also set up a Project Management Unit to help the coal block allocatees to obtain approvals and permissions required from various levels of Centre expeditiously. "From being a sector grappling with corruption and scandals, to being this new-age black diamond that will fuel country's economic growth - Indian coal sector has truly come a long way," he said. The government, he said, has also taken concrete steps for coal bed methane (CBM) exploration and extraction for the first time in coal-fields of CIL. Incentive to coal gasification and liquefaction is expected to give boost and promote the practice of efficient use of clean energy, he said adding that "We have received overseas and local interest in such proposals." Besides, the coal stock at thermal power plants in the country has risen to its highest-ever level of over 50 million tonnes, sufficient for 30 days, he added. SID NAM MKJ

Commercial mining likely to save Rs 30,000 cr annually on thermal coal import bill: Pralhad Joshi

New Delhi, March 28 () The government on Saturday said it is working to ensure critical coal supplies during the lockdown on account of coronavirus outbreak.Coal stocks at power plants stand at 41.8 million tonnes (MT) equivalent to 24 days consumption as of March 26, 2020."Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi has ensured that Coal supplies are declared as an Essential service and directed all the officials of Ministry of Coal to work harder to ensure that critical coal supplies are maintained during the lockdown period due to COVID 19 pandemic so that power and other critical sectors are unaffected due to the current situation," Ministry of Coal said in a statement.Daily meetings of all senior officers of the ministry are being held for monitoring coal production, supplies and despatch, it said.The first such virtual meeting was taken on March 26, 2020 through video conferencing by Coal Secretary Anil Kumar Jain.A daily report will be given to the coal minister. As Ministry of Coal is a fully paperless office the entire staff is working on the e-office platform from the ministry or at home as per duty rosters, it said.The minister informed that various steps have been taken to ensure the easy and adequate availability of coal to every coal dependent industry/Power Sector.The Union minister appreciated work being done by Coal India Limited where all officers and workers are ensuring the coal production and supplies are not affected in these critical times.Joshi further assured that no approvals requiring concurrence of Ministry of Coal would be held up during the current lockdown. NAM BALBAL

Working to ensure critical coal supplies during lockdown: Joshi

Vadodara, Feb 17 () Union minister Pralhad Joshi has said the Centre aims self-sufficiency in the coal sector by 2024 and the changes in the coal mining policy have been effected to achieve the same.Joshi -- Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mines and Coal -- was speaking at a two-day brainstorming session in Narmada district, about 100 km from Vadodara. Senior officials of the coal ministry, chairmen and managing directors of public sector undertakings are attending the event.Joshi said India stood fifth in terms of coal reserves and the Centre wasworking towards achieving self-sufficiency in coal production. He also talked about a move of the government that opens up the sector to players outside steel and power as well as removes end-use restrictions. Adding that the move is likely to create an efficient energy market and bring in more competition as well as reduce coal imports. In 2018, the government allowed commercial mining by private entities and set a mining target of 1.5 billion tonnes by 2020. Out of this, 1 billion tonnes was set to be from Coal India, while 500 million tonnes was to be from non-Coal India entities. This target has now been revised to 1 billion tonnes by 2023-24, Joshi stated. COR RSY MKJ

India aims to be self-sufficient in coal production by 2024: Joshi

Vadodara, Feb 18 () Union Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi has announced that the government looks to stop the substitutable import of thermal coal from 2023-24. The government wants to bridge the substitutable shortfall by 2023-24, he told on the sidelines of a two-day brainstorming session organised at Kevadia in neighbouring Bharuch district, about 90 km from Vadodara. The government recently introduced an ordinance to amend regulations to open up coal mining to other firms outside of the steel and power sectors, Joshi stated. "Whatever the substitutable shortfall is there, we want toachieve it by 2023-2024. We want to stop the substitutable import of the coal." The government may conduct an auction of 100 fully explored blocks, Joshi said.The latest move in the coal sector is expected to create an efficient energy market, thereby bringing more competition, while reducing coal imports.The brainstorming session that started on Monday was organised to discuss out of the box solutions to overcome various bottle necks in increasing coal production and provide innovative solutions to the coal sector, Joshi said. Highlighting key takeaways of the session, Joshi said various ways and means were discussed with key stakeholders to achieve 1 billion tonnes coal production target by Coal India by 2023-24. The ministry of coal will coordinate with Indian Railways and shipping ministry to enable Coal India to evacuate more coal by 2030. Stressing upon the diversification in the coal sector, Joshi said that idea has also been mooted at the session that CIL could think of coming up with the art of pithead thermal power plants to transform it into an integrated company. He said it was also proposed that CIL could generate 5GW of solar power by 2023-24 and could diversify into coal gasification with a target of 5 million tonnes by 2030 enabling a sustainable energy mix for the country. He also announced that the ministry of coal will introduce an award to recognize and appreciate best practices in coal production, productivity, sustainability etc by coal companies. COR RSY MRMR

India looks to stop thermal coal import by 2023-24:Joshi

New Delhi, Jan 19 () Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday said the Centre will stop the "substitutable import" of coal in the next three to four years and can go for auction of 100 fully explored blocks. 
The statement assumes significance in view of recent developments in the sector where the government recently brought an ordinance to amend laws to open up coal mining to firms other than those in the steel and power sectors, removing restrictions on end-use of the fuel.
Terming the promulgation of the ordinance as "one of the major reforms", the coal minister in an interview to said that "whatever the substitutable shortfall is there...we want to achieve it in the coming three-four years. That may be around 2023-24. We want to stop the substitutable import of the coal".
The Cabinet recently approved promulgation of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020 to amend Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation ) Act 1957 and Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act 2015. 
"In between also there were some other problems. CMSP Act, end-user restriction. So many things were there. All these things we have removed now," the minister explained.
Stating that promulgation of the Ordinance has been welcomed by the sector, he said the government is seeking comments on draft rules for coal mines auction which is in the public domain. 
"Now question is about framing rules and that we have kept it in public domain...We want to make it investor friendly... After this formation of rules and after all these things, we want to market in a such way in the world that now things have become easy...you come and do the business," the minister added. 
"I can say today as on date around 100 new greenfield blocks fully explored coal blocks are with us. Fully explored blocks 100 greenfield blocks are with us now. That we can go for auction immediately," the minister said adding that the sale of the blocks will be in a phased manner.
When asked about the number of blocks that would go under the hammer in the first phase, he said, "That I can't say right now as that is yet to be discussed, deliberated."
According to industry thinkers, the recent move in the coal sector is likely to create an efficient energy market and bring in more competition as well as reduce coal imports. 
However, the move will put an end to Coal India's monopoly in the sector.
Allaying the fears in this regard, the minister said, "We are pushing and trying to strengthen Coal India so that they achieve their target (one billion tonnes) by 2023-24...We want that Coal India should do its job, do its job well...Remaining whatever is the gap of 400-500 million tonnes that will be taken care of by private people."
Coal India accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output. 
India imported 235.2 million tonnes of coal in 2018-19 valued at Rs 1.7 lakh crore, Joshi had earlier said. SID MKJ
MKJ

Govt to stop substitutable coal import; can go for auction of 100 fully explored new blocks: Joshi

New Delhi, Jan 28 () State-owned Coal India (CIL) has received green clearances for 17 mining projects, a move that will enable the world's largest coal miner to achieve one-billion-tonne production target, Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi has said.
 In a tweet the minister said: "For making PM @NarendraModi Ji's vision of 24x7 'Power for All' a reality, @CoalMinistry in co-ordination with @moefcc has got the environment clearances to 17 new and existing coal projects and 3 washeries of @CoalIndiaHQ..."
 "These clearances will add 150 million tonnes of coal in @CoalIndiaHQ kitty in next five years and increase its washing capacity by 25 MTPA enabling the company to achieve 1 billion tonnes of coal production by FY23-24," he tweeted.
 The state-owned company will produce 750 million tonnes of coal in the next financial year, the coal ministry had earlier said.
 CIL will further produce one billion tonnes of coal by FY2024, it had said.
 The PSU is currently given the target of producing 660 million tonnes of coal amounting to 82 per cent of the country's coal output.
 In its annual report 2018-19, the company had said 54 of its coal mining projects were facing delays due to various reasons such as contractual issues and delay in green clearances among others.
 "A total of 120 coal projects costing Rs 20 crore and above are in different stages of implementation. Out of which 66 projects are on schedule and 54 projects are delayed," Coal India had said.
 The major reasons for delay in implementation of these projects are delays in obtaining environment clearance, forest clearance, possessions of land and issues related to resettlement and rehabilitation, contractual issues and evacuation facilities among others. SID SID ANS
ANS

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