Working Groups for the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012)

Coal and Lignite

Dated 4^th May 2006

It has been decided to constitute a Working Group on Coal and Lignite in the context of the Eleventh Five Year Plan [2007 - 2012].  The Composition and the Terms of Reference of the Working Group will be as follows:

(a) Composition:

(b) Terms of Reference:

1. To review the Integrated Energy Policy Report and to suggest measures to make the recommendations operational during Eleventh Plan period.
2. To review the report of the Expert Committee on the Road Map for Coal Sector Reforms and to suggest measures to make the recommendations operational during Eleventh Plan period.
3. To review the likely achievements during the Tenth Plan in meeting targets set for production, productivity and despatch and analysis of reasons for shortfall if any may be highlighted.
4. To review the Coal Vision 2025 document and opine upon the efficacy of achieving the production targets set therein for the end of XI^th Plan (inclusive of emergency action plan).
5. To review the status of various policy initiatives taken in coal and lignite sector and to make recommendations for further course of action as well as continuation of unfulfilled tasks of previous plan period.
6. To recommend Industry structure that would enhance number of players, promote competition, provide a consistent and transparent pricing regime and raise production, distribution, transportation and end-use efficiency. In this connection, to analyse the need for de-blocking Coal Blocks held by Coal India Ltd that would not be put into production even by 2016-17.
7. To estimate year-wise coal and lignite demand during 2007-12  (XI^th Plan) and 2012-17, based on the requirement of the end users (of both coking and non coking coal); their pattern of growth; technological improvements of the end users vis-à-vis the specific consumption; import requirements of both coking and non coking coal; possible inter fuel substitutions etc.
8. To suggest measures for accelerating exploration activities and UNFC classification of resources; to assess the capabilities of the existing exploration agencies for meeting the exploration programme and the possibility of private sector participation to augment/supplement these capabilities.
9. To assess the potentiality of methane content of each coalfield and identify coalfields/horizons for exploiting unapproachable resources.
10. To bring out coal and lignite production programme with related financial and economic implications vis-à-vis the projected demand and to suggest measures for dealing with the demand-supply mismatch, if any.
11. To analyse efficacy of reviving loss making coal companies and to make specific recommendations on this account.
12. To establish benchmarks for different mining operations (opencast as well as underground) comparable with international standards and to suggest measures for achieving the same.
13. To recommend measures for alternative technologies for extraction of resources in geologically disturbed areas and deep seated coal resources; and underground coal gasification; coal bed methane extraction; alternative system of coal transportation.
14. To suggest measures for improved formulation and implementation of projects.
15. To suggest measures for improving the availability of coking coal from indigenous sources; improving performance of coking coal washeries; and assessing the requirement of imported coking coal on long term basis.
16. To suggest measures to promote the use of washed coal in power generation; estimating the capacity requirement of non-coking coal washery and associated infrastructure.
17. To suggest measures for improving the existing infrastructure for coal movement from pithead and ports to load centres;
18. To assess the requirements and to suggest measures for developing other infrastructure and resources like power, communication, land, water, etc.  
19. To assess safety and welfare requirements for workers and to suggest desired policy measures for implementation; suggest measures for improving skills of human resource; and draw roadmap for future sustainability of coal industry with world class training and education.
20. To assess the current status of science and technology or research and development activities in the coal and lignite sector and to recommend priorities for future projects keeping in view the emerging energy scenario and externalities associated therein. Specifically the Working Group may outline the roadmap for in-situ coal/lignite gasification and carbon capture and sequestration technology.
21. To make assessment of the year wise investment including foreign exchange component for achieving the Eleventh Plan objectives and targets, including foreign assistance/loans/bilateral collaboration etc.
22. To review and assess the environmental management aspects for sustainable coal production in the Eleventh Plan and beyond.

2. In order to assist the Working Group in its task, separate Sub-Groups on specific aspects may be formed.  These Sub-Groups will furnish their reports to the Working Group.

3. The Chairman of the Working Group may co-opt other Experts as members as and when deemed necessary.

4. The Working Group will submit its report to the Planning Commission latest by the end of September 2006.

5. Non-official Members of the Working Group shall be entitled to payment of TA/DA by the Planning Commission as per SR 190(a).  The TA/DA of official members will be borne by their respective organisations as per the rules of entitlement applicable to them.

6. The name(s) of Representative(s) of the Organisation(s) as mentioned in the composition of the Working Group may be communicated to the Member-Secretary of the Working Group under intimation to Shri Surya P. Sethi, Adviser (Energy), Planning Commission within two weeks.

7. The Working Group will be serviced by Power and Energy Division of the Planning Commission. Shri M. Satyamurty, Joint Adviser (Coal), Planning Commission, Room No. 345, Yojana Bhavan [telephone: 23096727] will be the nodal officer for this Working Group, and any further query/ correspondence in this regard may be made with him.