Export coal falls to 24,580 tonnes

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) The coal export carried out by public sector Coal India Limited (CIL) witnessed a sharp drop during the first nine months of 2005-06 when the export felled to 24,580 tonnes as against the average export of 1,24,497 tonnes of coal during the same period of the previous year.

The total coal exported during 2004-05 was to the tune of 16,6000 tonnes. These exports were mostly carried out in the neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan under the Open General Licence (OGL).

India export coal to these countries to meet their domestic demand of coal.

Earlier, the export was canalised through the Mineral and Metal Trading Corporation (MMTC), but for the last few years it has been decanalised.

During 2004-05 India imported 14.57 million tonnes of coking coal, 11.56 million tonnes of non-coking coal and 2.51 million tonnes of coke. Coking coal is being imported by Steel Authority of India Ltd. and other steel manufacturing units to bridge the gap between requirement and indigenous availability and to improve the quality.

Coal based power plants, cement plants, captive power plants, sponge iron units, industrial consumer units and coal traders are importing non-coking coal on consideration of transport logistic and commercial prudence as well as against export entitlements. Coke is imported mainly by pig-iron manufacturers and iron&steel sector consumers using mini-blast furnace, said the 2005-06 annual report of the Ministry of Coal.

UNI/BKS MP HT1510