Pratik Prakashbapu Patil Union minister of state for coal said, “The production in most coal mines has suffered due to incessant rains, as a result of which some coal companies could not produce the targeted amount of coal setting off crisis in coal supply to power plants.” Patil said there is no plan to revise the CIL output target downward as the situation is expected to normalize within next two to three months. On the delay by private sector companies which had been allotted coal blocks, to start operation of their mines, the minister said warnings have been issued to non-serious private players and follow up will be taken soon. The minister however ruled out the possibility of discontinuing e-auction of coal to enhance the supply position saying such measures will hurt the small scale industries. He said on wage negotiation with the leaders of coal trade unions, discussions are on and the differences hopefully will be ironed out by the end of the year.
