Centre opens coal mining to private sector: Full text of PM Modi’s speech
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday officially launched the auction of 41 coal mines with an annual production capacity that is nearly one third of national total output.
At an opening up of mining to the private sector titled “Unleashing Coal”, PM Modi said he wanted the country, with the world’s fourth largest coal reserves, to be a net exporter of coal.
India, the world’s second largest consumer and producer of the fuel, and saw imports rise nearly 7% this year to 251 million tonnes, with production falling for the first time in over two decades.
Here’s the complete text of PM Modi’s address:
“Namaskar!
I welcome all the participants from across the nation and the world. The very conduct of such an event and your participation, during these challenging times in itself arouses a new hope and conveys an important message.
India will not only fight against Coronavirus, but will also win the battle and move forward. India is not going to sit and wail over the crisis. Howsoever big the crisis might be, India is determined to turn it into an opportunity. This Coronavirus Crisis has given India lessons in being Atmanirbhar, that is, Self-Reliant!
