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Financial boost soon for green coal technology: Pralhad Joshi

The statement was made during his address at the valedictory session of the National Workshop on “Global Experience Sharing on Just Transition”, organized by the ministry of coal on Wednesday.

New Delhi: Union minister of coal, mines and parliamentary affairs Pralhad Joshi said that a financial package designed to bolster sustainable coal mining and promote green coal technology in India will be rolled out shortly.

The statement was made during his address at the valedictory session of the National Workshop on “Global Experience Sharing on Just Transition”, organized by the ministry of coal on Wednesday.

Highlighting the need for addressing the issue of abandoned coal mines, Joshi said, "India’s electricity consumption is only one third of global average." He further noted that India is amongst the top five solar power producing countries worldwide.

"While ensuring just transition in the coal sector, aspirations of grass root level people has to be addressed adequately," he added. Joshi went on to state that "Coal India Limited and subsidiary units are focused on pursuing Clean Coal Technologies."

In a keynote address, Coal secretary Amrit Lal Meena said, "With enhanced domestic coal production, India’s coal sector is giving the right fillip to the economic growth." Meena stressed on the importance of "a dedicated organization with strong institutional framework" for the scientific closure of abandoned coal mines.

Throwing light on the magnitude of the task at hand, Additional Coal Secretary M Nagaraju said, "More than 300 abandoned coal mines need to be closed in a scientific manner benefiting the environment and the people living nearby."