The central government is planning to permit the sale of 50% of coal/lignite produced by captive blocks, the Union ministry of coal said in a statement. The move is aimed at augmenting the production and increasing the availability of dry fuel.
The move will be carried out by incorporating a provision in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR). The statement said that an additional amount will be charged on the merchant sales of the coal/lignite.
The ministry noted that the import of coal has increased on a year-on-year basis. While it was 203.95 million tonne (MT) in 2015-16, it reached 248.54 MT in 2019-20.
