Union Minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, has announced that a financial package aimed at supporting sustainable coal mining and promoting green coal technology in India will be unveiled soon. He made this statement during the valedictory session of the National Workshop on "Global Experience Sharing on Just Transition," organized by the Ministry of Coal.

Joshi emphasized the need to address the problem of abandoned coal mines in India. He mentioned that India's electricity consumption is only one-third of the global average but also noted that India is among the top five solar power producing countries worldwide. He stressed the importance of ensuring a just transition in the coal sector while addressing the aspirations of grassroots communities. He also highlighted that Coal India Limited and its subsidiary units are dedicated to pursuing Clean Coal Technologies.

In a keynote address, Coal Secretary Amrit Lal Meena stated that India's coal sector, with increased domestic coal production, is contributing to economic growth. Meena emphasized the necessity of establishing a dedicated organization with a strong institutional framework for the scientific closure of abandoned coal mines.

Additional Coal Secretary M. Nagaraju discussed the significant task at hand, noting that over 300 abandoned coal mines need to be closed in a scientifically responsible manner to benefit the environment and nearby communities. He expressed optimism about the workshop, which is a step in the right direction toward building a knowledge bank for this purpose. Nagaraju also revealed that as a pilot project, 3-4 coal mines would be selected for scientific closure.

Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and former coal secretary, highlighted the global momentum of energy transition. He stressed the need for an effective technology framework to ensure meaningful mine closure and rehabilitation, given the rapid pace of global energy transition.

The workshop included participation in five panel discussions and breakout sessions. Experts from the coal sector, both within India and abroad, as well as World Bank experts, attended this one-day workshop.