Coal India Limited (CIL) clocked double digit growth of 10.7% in coal production for the month of January 2020, till 27th.

Coal supplies to consuming sector grew by 6.2%.

CIL's production at 54.17 Million Tonnes (MTs) till 27th January 2020 was, ahead by 5.23 MTs in absolute terms on a like-to-like comparison of last year, registering a growth of 10.7% - the first double digit growth so far during the current fiscal. CIL as whole has been averaging close to 2 MTs per day coal output during the month.

'The production spurt came largely on back of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited and South Eastern Coalfields Limited' said an official of the company adding 'by the end of January production is likely to be up by another 8 MTs'.

MCL surged ahead with 21.5% production growth, as of the referred date, followed by SECL with 14.4%. These are two of the largest producing subsidiaries of CIL, which combined contribute close to half of CIL's total coal output. Much to the relief of the company, Dipka opencast mine of SECL, the third largest coal producing mine of CIL came back strongly in record time reaching 1 Lakh tonnes per day production. Dipka's lower benches were flooded when a non-seasonal river broke the embankment and flooded the mine on 29th September 2019.

Coal off-take at 48.07 MTs, as of 27th January 2020, registered a growth of 6.2% compared to same date last January, the increase in volume terms being 2.82 MTs.

There is no shortage of coal in the power plants, with a total of 65.66 MTs currently available in the system, of which stock at CIL's pitheads is 31.41 MTs. Whereas, thermal power plants of the country were adequately stocked with 34.25 MTs of coal (as of 26 January) sufficient for 19 days consumption. The current level of coal stock at the power plants is 14.89 MTs more than that of a year ago period. Last year same date it was 19.36 MTs.

'Better management of supply logistics ensured that coal stock at various power stations was maintained throughout the year and the number of critical power plants never touched double digit during 2019-20 as per CEA' said the stated official. After almost 3 years, the number of NTPC plants and NTPC/JVs having super critical stock was down to zero.

With power plants sufficiently stocked with coal supplies, it gave leeway to Coal India to liquidate over 78% of non-lapsable arrear rakes of non-power sector consumers pertaining to 2017-18 and 2018-19. Beginning with 5143 arrear rakes as of 1st April 2019, CIL brought down the number to about 1116 thus clearing 4027 rakes and is hopeful of clearing the rest by the end of the current fiscal.

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