**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question regarding coal production, supply, and imports in India, specifically addressing concerns about potential coal shortages.
**Coal Production and Supply (FY 2024-25 Provisional):**
The government provides state-wise data on coal production and supply in million tonnes (MT) for FY 2024-25:
* Assam: Production - 0.20 MT, Supply - 0.26 MT
* Chhattisgarh: Production - 204.96 MT, Supply - 207.69 MT
* Jharkhand: Production - 206.17 MT, Supply - 202.24 MT
* Madhya Pradesh: Production - 167.57 MT, Supply - 140.32 MT
* Maharashtra: Production - 70.78 MT, Supply - 70.34 MT
* Odisha: Production - 269.36 MT, Supply - 254.63 MT
* Telangana: Production - 71.51 MT, Supply - 67.76 MT
* Uttar Pradesh: Production - 20.86 MT, Supply - 46.40 MT
* West Bengal: Production - 36.09 MT, Supply - 35.70 MT
**Coal Shortages at Power Plants:**
The government asserts that there were no widespread coal shortages at domestic coal-based (DCB) power plants during the financial years 2022-23 to 2024-25. Coal receipts at these plants exceeded consumption. Coal stock at DCB power plants increased from 24.2 MT on March 31, 2022, to 47.8 MT on March 31, 2024, and reached 55.5 MT on March 31, 2025, sufficient for over 20 days at an average Plant Load Factor (PLF) requirement of 85. While some units experienced outages, these were primarily due to localized issues such as coal unloading problems, payment delays, or in-transit issues.
**Coal Imports:**
Despite large domestic coal reserves, India imports coal to meet specific demands. The steel sector imports coking coal due to limited domestic availability. Some power plants are designed to operate on imported coal. Additionally, some consumers in the Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) import coal based on cost considerations. Coal imports are permitted under an Open General License (OGL), allowing consumers to import from any source at contracted prices, subject to applicable duties. The government is actively working to increase domestic coal production to minimize non-essential imports. India's coal imports decreased from 264.53 MT in FY 2023-24 to 243.62 MT in FY 2024-25, resulting in a foreign exchange saving of approximately ₹60,681.67 crore.
**Government Representative:**
The response was provided by the Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Coal: The Indian government ministry responsible for coal production and regulation.
Shri Ramashankar Vidharthi Rajbhar: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question about coal shortage.
Shri G. Kishan Reddy: Minister of Coal and Mines who provided the answer to the question.
Assam: Indian state with coal production and supply figures provided.
Chhattisgarh: Indian state with significant coal production and supply figures provided.
Jharkhand: Indian state with significant coal production and supply figures provided.
Open General License (OGL): The import policy under which coal is placed, allowing consumers to freely import coal.
Plant Load Factor (PLF): A measure of the average capacity utilization of power plants.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 654
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
Coal Shortage
†654. Shri Ramashankar Vidharthi Rajbhar:
Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has data on coal production and supply in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether any power plant had to be shut down due to coal shortage during the last three
years and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of reasons for coal being imported despite large reserves of coal in the country?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) & (b): The details of State-wise coal production and supply in the Country for FY 2024-
25 (provisional) are given below.
[Figures in Million Tonnes]
State Production Supply
Assam 0.20 0.26
Chhattisgarh 204.96 207.69
Jharkhand 206.17 202.24
Madhya Pradesh 167.57 140.32
Maharashtra 70.78 70.34
Odisha 269.36 254.63
Telangana 71.51 67.76
Uttar Pradesh 20.86 46.40
West Bengal 36.09 35.70
(c): During the last three financial years, FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25, the total receipt of coal
at domestic coal based (DCB) power plants has been higher than their consumption. There was
no coal shortage. In fact, coal stock at DCB power plants has increased from 24.2 MT as on
31.03.2022 to 34.6 MT (on 31.03.2023) and 47.8 MT (on 31.03.2024). The coal stock was 55.5
MT as on 31.03.2025 which was sufficient for an average of more than 20 days at a requirement
1of 85% Plant Load Factor (PLF). However, during last three years, few units of DCB plants
have reported outage for some period mainly because of coal unloading issues at plant, payment
issues and coal in transit.
(d): Most of the coal requirement in the country is met through indigenous production and
supply. However, certain sectors import coal due to specific needs, such as steel sector imports
coal primarily due to the limited availability of coking coal within the country. Imported coal-
based power plants rely on imported coal because of their design specifications. Some
consumers in the Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) also import coal based on cost economics and
commercial prudence.
Under the current import policy, coal is placed under the Open General License (OGL). This
allows consumers to freely import coal from any source of their choice, at contracted prices,
by paying the applicable duties.
Despite this, the Government is focused on increasing domestic coal production and
minimizing non-essential coal imports. This strategy has led to a declining trend in coal imports
as domestic supply improves.
During the year 2024–25, India imported a total of 243.62 million tonnes (MT) of coal, which
is a reduction from 264.53 MT in the previous year. This decline resulted in a foreign exchange
saving of approximately ₹60,681.67 crore during FY 2024–25 compared to FY 2023–24.
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