CEA flags Jharkhand mining officers’ role in delay of coal reaching power plants

At a time when India faces a major power crisis due to coal shortages at power plants, a report by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has highlighted the role of District Mining Officers (DMOs) as one of the hurdles, among others.

“It has also been seen that DMOs who are in-charge of giving approval on JIMMS (Jharkhand Integrated Mines and Minerals System) portal for any type of transportation of minerals appear to be taking more time in the process for granting approval as it takes on an average of about one week, and which affects transportation as well as evacuation of coal from mines to railway sidings as well as to the consumers,” said the report jointly signed by CEA Chief Engineer Rakesh Kumar and East Central Railways (ECR) Dhanbad Division Senior Divisional Operations Manager Pankaj Kumar.

The report is in respect of Rakesh Kumar’s visit to Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL) from 30 June 2022 to 2 July 2022 for working out a plan for logistics for lifting available coal to thermal power plants (TPPs) in coordination with CCL officers and Railways.

The report, which has made some major observations, is based on CCL reports of coal production, dispatch reports for coal, visual inspection at coal mines and railway sidings and discussions held with representatives of CCL and Railways. It has even suggested intervention by the central government.

“This matter may be taken up by the central government with the state government for effective systemic improvement,” the report said on the matter related to DMOs.

However, a DMO in Jharkhand, on condition of anonymity and citing a 2018 notification of Department of Industries, Mines and Geology, said, “We generally do it within a week whereas the rules allow us to do it in 15 days. We have to ensure that all the statutory compliances have been met including royalty payment and environment clearance.

“It is very easy for people to blame the DMOs but the root of corruption lies somewhere else. Why is it that when power plants get 45 days to pick up the coal from the mines, they apply for a permit on the portal on the 40th day? There’s no deliberate delay from our side as everything is online and transparent, and we are all accountable.”

The report states that there is neither the problem in getting railway rakes for the coal transportation nor any major road connectivity issue between the mines and the railway sidings. However, it did highlight that two roads need improvement.

“There is no issue of availability of rakes in the railway sidings of CCL and which was also corroborated by CMD, CCL. Further, there appears to be no road connectivity issue from mines to railway sidings except in the upcoming and high capacity mines of Amrapali and Magadh areas,” it said.