India’s coal production in the current financial year, as on May 31 is 137.85 million tonnes (MT). This is 28.6 per cent higher compared to the production of 104.83 MT in the corresponding period in the previous year. Coal production so far in June has also been robust. Coal production by Coal India Ltd (CIL) is until June 16 is 28 per cent more than the production in the same period of the previous year, an official statement said.

CIL which accounts for more than 80 per cent of coal output in the country.

Domestic coal production target for the current financial year is 911 MT — 17.2 per cent more than the previous year.

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Meanwhile, Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said at an event that there would be no power cuts due to shortage in coal.

He said CIL has been importing this essential energy ingredient as “precautionary measure to tide over the crisis which may erupt due to waterlogging in the mines during monsoons.”

Coal accounts for 70 per cent of the power generated in India.

Coal is not just used for power generation but it is also a key resource for steel and cement production. Amid soaring commodity prices driven by the Russia-Ukraine war, India needs to focus on increasing coal production. High oil prices have already pushed the country’s import bill.