Mahanadi Coalfield Limited (MCL) consisting of coal mines in the state will likely to produce 143 million tons of coal in the current financial year as against the target of 150 MT, according to the joint secretary of the Coal ministry, Mr R K Sinha.

Similarly also Coal India limited will produce 590 MT to 595 MT of coal in the year 2017-18 when the target has been to touch 600MT. He said for the year 2018-19 the target for CIL is fixed at 650 MT while for MCL it is at 162 MT where as the demand in the country is more.

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Speaking to reporters here , he strongly defending government decision to open up coal sectors for private commercial use, the joint secretary said it would not affect CIL negatively rather it will better the performances.

The decision to give coal blocks to private layers for commercial mining was taken for the for more efficient coal supply and for efficient production of coal in the country keeping in view of the growing coal demand in the country.

After reviewing coal production with top MCL officials here Sinha said that MCL is the largest coal bearing company in the country and contributes 25 per cent of total coal produced by CIL which in turn CIL meets 80 per cent coal requirement in the country.

No single company can produce as much the coal MCL produces, he added. Giving a picture of rising coal demand in the country from power and non-power sectors year on year he said that the country had to import 190 MT in the current fiscal to meet the deficit.

Out of 190 MT power sector import was billed at 140 million tone. Sinha also said that MCL coal is of good quality as about 92 per cent of coal is produced by surface miners.

“We have zero tolerance on any stone mixing with coal when supplied to consumers “he added. The officials also defended the coal auction policy of the center stating so far 84 blocks either have been allotted or auctioned since 2015.

The chairman cum managing director of MCL Anil Kumar Jha who was present at the press briefing said that there is no dearth of coal in any power stations linked with MCL and quality of coal is being maintained at best.

He said that the reclamation of old mines are being done as per the rule. MCL directors JP Singh, OP Singh and general managers of Talcher attended the meeting.