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Rajya Sabha
The Central Government has decided to amend the Coal Mines (Nationalization) Act, 1973, to increase coal production in the country and to attract private investment in coal mining sector. The amendment bill 2000 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha in April,2000 with the objectives : (1) to allow companies registered in India to mine coal and lignite without the existing restriction of captive consumption and (2) to engage in exploration of coal and lignite resources in the country.
The Bill has been recommended by the Standing Committee on Energy for adoption. However, some trade unions have raised some objections which are under consideration by a Group of Ministers (GOM) constitued to look into the problems of the coal industry. The recommendation of the GOM is awaited.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Coal and Mines Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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