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Lok Sabha
The Government has taken a number of steps to induct clean coal technologies in the coal industry. Thermal power stations located in specified areas have been asked to use coal with ash content not exceeding 34 per cent. Government is encouraging setting up of coal washeries by private operators on behalf of coal consumers.
In order to harness Coal Bed Methane (CBM) potential in the country, the Government formulated a CBM policy in 1997. A total of 16 CBM blocks have been awarded so far for exploration and production of CBM. In addition, a demonstration project named Coal Bed Methane Recovery & Commercial Utilization has been taken up in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project was sanctioned by Government of India in September, 1999 and is under implementation at Sudamdih and Moonidih mines at BCCL.
To establish underground coal gasification technology, a Memorandum of Understaning (MoU) with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has already been approved by Board of Director of Coal India Limited. Initial work of data exchange needed for identification of trial site has been taken up.
Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) proposes to taken up a Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) project in a suitable lignite block in Rajasthan under Ministry of Coal's S&T programme and Department of Science & Technology funding at a total cost of Rs.1,125 lakhs. Private sector is already participating in the development of clean coal technologies like CBM and coal washeries.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Coal, Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
DS/SCH
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