Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi has conducted a review of the availability of coal during the ongoing monsoon season. He held a meeting on Wednesday with senior officials from Coal India Limited (CIL), Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), and other entities.

According to official sources, the meeting revealed that both CIL and SCCL have sufficient coal supplies to meet the demands of coal-based power plants during the rainy season.

During the current fiscal year, CIL has achieved its highest-ever daily dispatch to the non-power sector, reaching 3.68 lakh tonnes per day. The overall offtake of coal from CIL has reached 85.2 million tonnes, showing nearly a 10% growth compared to the previous year. Similarly, SCCL has dispatched 25.1 million tonnes of coal, experiencing a 12.6% growth in the current financial year compared to the previous year.

Joshi expressed his satisfaction by tweeting, "Happy to note that CIL & SCCL are totally geared up to ensure sufficient coal availability during the ongoing monsoons."

CIL's production in the second quarter of the current fiscal year (up to August 14) has grown by 11% over the previous year, reaching 75.7 million tonnes, achieving 100.6% of the target. Likewise, SCCL has produced 23.6 million tonnes of coal, surpassing the target with 101.5% achievement.

In the fiscal year 2023-24, growth from captive and commercial coal blocks has risen by 8% compared to 2022-23, reaching 40 million tonnes, as per sources.