Date | Jul 25, 2016:

The Centre has brought down coal stocks from 57.6 metric tonnes to 47 metric tonnes in a matter of 107 days, Minister of state for Coal, Power and New and Renewable Energy and Mines Piyush Goyal today told the Rajya Sabha.

Replying to a query, the Minister told the House that pit head of coal stock at Coal India Ltd stood at 47 metric tonnes as on July 17, 2016.

The total quantity of raw coal allocated through e-auction during 2015-16 was 78.63 metric tonnes.

The tentative quantity earmarked for e-auctions for the year was 151.7 metric tonnes, he said during Question Hour.

As much coal as anybody required would be available at a notified price, Mr Goyal said.

The Government had made available the coal after the Supreme Court judgement cancelling 214 coal blocks. The e-auction had increased transparency and helped the Government to dispose almost four times more through this method, he said, adding that public sector NTPC had succeeded in reducing the variable cost of coal by 30 paise which worked out to nearly 15 per cent reduction. ''This year's collection stood at Rs 6,000 crore,'' he told.

(Source: http://news.webindia123.com/)

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