The Hindu : Cabinet nod sought for closure of unviable mines

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Oct 23, 2002

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Cabinet nod sought for closure of unviable mines

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI OCT. 22. The Union Ministry of Coal and Mines plans to approach the Union Cabinet soon for permission to close down unviable mines.

"We will approach the Cabinet for closure of some mines,'' the Coal Minister, Uma Bharti, said at a news conference here today.

Ms. Bharti, however, ruled out any retrenchment or lay offs on account of suspension of production in these mines.

Detailing the achievements of her Ministry, she said several steps had been taken as part of a drive to clean up the coal industry, including verification and cancellation of bogus coal linkages.

On the steps being taken to curb the influence of coal mafia, the Minister said she would soon visit coal-producing States to meet the Chief Ministers and Government officials to discuss ways to check the menace.

In this context, she also appealed to the State Governments for help to rein in the coal mafia and curb illegal mining.

"We are tightening internal controls but we will continue to need the support of the State Governments in the matter,'' she said.

On the issue of safety, she said fatalities in the industry had come down in the last three years except for one incident last year.

About plans to open up the coal sector for private participation, she said a Group of Ministers had been constituted to examine the issue.

Commenting on the incidents of coal fires in the Jharia belt in Bihar, she said the Government would soon chalk out a plan to contain the fires.

The Minister pointed out that Coal India Limited had registered a record profit of Rs. 1,754 crores during 2001-02 and the company had paid a dividend of over Rs. 90 crores to the Government.

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