Coal production stands at 31.34 MT in September

New Delhi, Nov 3 (UNI) The total coal production in the country during September 2008 was marginally lower at 31.34 million tonnes (MT) as acheived by Coal India Ltd (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) against the production target of 32.193 MT.

The data released by Coal Ministry shows that the actual coal produced by CIL and SCCL during the corresponding month in the previous year stood at 28.90 MT, indicating a growth of 8.4 per cent.

The coal dispatches to power sector during September 2008 was 25.23 MT.

In the allocation of coal blocks, two captive coal block -- Datima coal block allocated to Binani Cement Ltd on September 5, 2008 and Tenughat-Jhirki coal block to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd on September 10 this year -- under Screening Committee route.

The performance of Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd during September 2008 witnessed a mixed bag. The company's Lignite production, power generation and power export all declined compared to the same period of the previous year.

However, in the case of removal of overburden, the performance was good.

According to the data available, the target for the Lignite production for September was fixed at 17.60 lakh tonnes (LT), while the actual production was to the extent of 16.24 LT against 17.81 LT attained during the same period in the previous year.

The power generation target for the same period was fixed at 1,246 Million Units, while the actual production was 1068.74 MU against September 2007 figure of 1,275.33 MU.

In the export of power front the target for September was fixed at 1,020 MU, but the actual export was just 874.74 MU against the export figure for the same period of the previous year of 1,071.62 MU.

In the case of the removal of overburden, the September target was 118.36 lakh million cubic meters, though the actual removal was 112.17 lakh cubic meters which is higher than the previous year's removal for the same month of 103.16 lakh million cubic meters.

The outstanding dues from consumers to CIL and NLC, including those payable by power sector to coal companies at the end of August this year was Rs 1,774.82 crore as against Rs 1,859.65 crore (up to July 31, 2008). The undisputed dues accounted for Rs 744.86 crore out of total outstanding.

The outstanding dues of NLC as on September 30 this year provisionally stood at Rs 856.31 crore.

UNI BKS SBA CS1810