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Minister of State for Coal & Mines, Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao today said the study of coal in terms of properties, production issues, applicability and technology should be promoted in Indian academic and research institutions. 'We need to encourage project and research work at the level of post-graduation and doctoral programme. Well identified research projects in association with the coal industry would be mutually beneficial', Dr. Rao said inaugurating a global coal seminar here. The Minister said he would take up the matter with the Minister of Science & Technology and the Minister of Human Resource Development to expedite the process.
The two-day "International Seminar on Coal Science & Technology - Emerging Global Dimensions" will discuss diverse related issues including improvement in methods for coal exploration and exploitation and change in policy guidelines for its import and export. Jointly organized by the Central Fuel Research Institute (CFRI) and Central Mining Research Institute (CMRI), Dhanbad, the seminar is co-sponsored by number of concerned Ministries / Departments and industrial houses.
The Minister said that the Government is committed to promoting coal washing in a big way as crossing and washing are two effective instruments for better realisation of the heat value from the coal. They also help efficient transportation and clean environment. This also provides huge investment opportunities. At present, there are 22 washeries under Coal India Limited washing 20 million tonnes of coal and a few in the private sector. This seems to be inadequate and we need to do much better in this direction, he said.
He stressed on production of quality coal at competitive prices and asked the industry to select the best technology for the purpose. He said coal is very vital for the energy security of India as it meets 55 per cent of the country's energy needs. Oil and gas may exhaust in near future and the entire thrust will be on coal unless we find alternate sources of energy. He asked the delegates to ponder over the judicious use of this precious material keeping in view the needs of the future generation.
The inaugural session was addressed by Dr. P. C. Parakh, Secretary Coal; Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, DG, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Shri H.L. Bajaj, Chairperson, Central Electricity Authority (CEA); Shri Shashi Kumar, Chairman, Coal India Limited; Shri Chandan Roy, Director, NTPC and Mr. Michio Nakajima, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan. The Director, CFRI and CMRI, Dr. Kalay Sen welcomed the guests.
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