Web Portal launched to provide star rating of coal mines

The Ministry of coal launched web portal in New Delhi to provide star rating of coal mines. Based on the star rating the highest scoring mines are to be awarded.

Highlights

According to the new system, the mines scoring between 91% and 100% will get 5 star, below 91% and above 81% will receive 4 star and so on. The coal mines will be provided with login id to self evaluate themselves by submitting required documents. The mines are to be rated based on 50 parameters.

Current Scenario

India consumes coal predominantly for electricity generation. The other industries that consume coal include steel and washery, cement industry and sponge iron industry. In 2017-18, India consumed 896.34 million tonnes of coal. However, due to higher demand, India imported 208 million tonnes of coal in 2017-18.

In order to reduce coal imports, Ministry of Coal has set target of 1 billion tonnes by 2023-24.

The states such as Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Telangana account to 98% of total coal reserves in India

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2020