Miscellaneous Scheme under Ministry of Coal

SHAKTI Policy

(Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India)

• Problem earlier: Earlier coal allocation was done through the Letter of Assurance (LoA)–Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) system. This often lacked transparency and created inefficiencies.
• Aim: Ensure transparent coal allocation to all thermal power plants.
• How it works:
  • Coal linkages or allocations are now given through auctions.
  • Power plants without prior linkage or FSA can bid in auctions.
• Impact:
  • Generators get cheaper coal → lower cost of electricity.
  • Consumers benefit from reduced power tariffs.
  • Indigenous coal sector benefits → reduced dependence on imports.
  • Banking sector benefits → with cheaper coal and lower costs, power plants are less likely to default, reducing NPAs.
• Related Policy: Governed by Coal Distribution Policy (NCDP), 2007.

UTTAM App

(Unlocking Transparency by Third Party Assessment of Mined Coal)

• Developed by: Ministry of Coal & Coal India Limited (CIL).
• Purpose: To promote transparency in coal quality monitoring.
• Features:
  • Citizens and coal consumers can track third-party sampling of coal.
  • Provides an interactive map-based view of coal quality across CIL subsidiaries.
• Significance: Strengthens accountability of CIL, builds trust among consumers.

Coal Mine Surveillance and Management System (CMSMS)

• Nature: A web-based GIS application.
• Purpose: To detect unauthorized mining sites.
• Platform used: Built on MeitY’s village-level digital map platform.
• Benefit: Helps monitor and curb illegal coal mining activities effectively.

Khan Prahari App

• Purpose: A citizen-centric tool to report illegal coal mining activities (like rat-hole mining or pilferage).
• How it works:
  • Users can upload geo-tagged photos and textual information.
  • Confidentiality maintained → identity of complainant is not disclosed.
• Significance: Empowers citizens to act as watchdogs against illegal coal mining.

PRAKASH Portal

(Power Rail Koyla Availability through Supply Harmony)

• Aim: Improve coordination in coal supply chain management.
• Stakeholders: Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, Coal India, Railways, and power utilities.
• Features: Provides real-time mapping of:
  • Coal stock at mines.
  • Coal rakes planned and dispatched.
  • Coal in transit.
  • Coal availability at power plants.
• Significance: Ensures smoother supply of coal, prevents shortages, and reduces power plant shutdowns.

Exploration of Coal and Lignite Scheme

• Type: Central Sector Scheme.
• Tenure: 2021–22 to 2025–26.
• Stages of Exploration:
  1. Promotional (Regional) Exploration → broad surveys to identify resources.
  2. Detailed Exploration → in non-CIL blocks, to estimate reserves more precisely.
• Importance:

• Generates Geological Reports (GRs) showing estimated reserves.
• These reports are crucial for auctioning new coal blocks and preparing detailed project reports for mining.