Power plants should import coal, says minister

“The energy needs have grown, but coal production has not grown to expectation. There are several reasons for this, including land acquisition, law and order and Naxalism in certain areas,” Jaiswal said in reply to supplementary questions in the Rajya Sabha.

“So, we suggest that those who set up power plant should also look towards importing,” he said.

The minister said there was no proposal to increase prices of coal. Asked about the commercial mining bill which will allow private players to enter mining coal, the minister said it was being worked upon.