Coal India’s (CIL’s) target of producing 710 million tonne (MT) in FY21 seems unrealistic by a section of the stakeholders in view of the low demand under which the mining behemoth is reeling at the current point in time. CIL ended FY 20 producing 602 MT — 58 MT short of the target — and is still left with a stockpile of 125.5-75.5 MT at pit heads and 50 MT at the power plants. This means it has 30 days of coal stock at the power plants. Thus, producing 710 MT in FY21 would eventually result in more pilferage, deterioration in quality, increased environmental pollution and creating more stockpile with high chances of catching fire.
