* Coal output up 9 pct in April-Oct. 15 vs year ago –
minister
* Supply to power sector up 12 pct at 170.17 mln T
(Adds quotes, details)
NEW DELHI Oct 19 (Reuters) – A nine percent jump in Coal
India Limited’s production so far this fiscal year has
made it possible that the world’s top coal producer will exceed
its full-year target of 464 million tonnes, the coal minister
said on Friday.
Coal India has produced 208.3 million tonnes from April 1 to
Oct. 15, Sriprakash Jaiswal told reporters, compared with 191.1
million tonnes a year ago.
“Last (fiscal) year’s performance was not very good due to
various reasons. But this year we are hopeful of Coal India
exceeding the target of 464 million tonnes,” Jaiswal said.
The state-run miner, which accounts for about 80 percent of
the country’s coal output, has repeatedly lagged production aims
due to lower productivity for various reasons, including delays
in obtaining environment and forestry approvals for new mines.
Last fiscal year, the company achieved only 96.5 percent of
its output target, producing 435.84 million tonnes.
Jaiswal also said supply to the power sector, the country’s
top coal consumer, rose 12 percent to 170.17 million tonnes
during the April-October period.
Around 66 percent of India’s power generation is coal-based.
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