MUMBAI: The government is working on a plan to end dependency on coal imports in next 3-4 months in order to facilitate consumption of the surplus fossil fuel produced by Coal India BSE 0.99 %. 

“When I took charge in 2014, I was faced with the challenge of inadequate supply of fuel. But now after two years we have come to a point where we have surplus coal and we are worried how to sell the surplus,”. 

He was addressing a gathering at the 50-year celebration of council for fair business practices (CFBP). 

“To tackle this problem of surplus, my ministry has drawn up an entire programme to see how we can completely eliminate import of coal by any state government or state discom in the next 3-4 months,”.

For almost 6-7 decades after independence, the country had got used to power and coal shortage but today there is a situation of surplus production.

“The one billion target (of coal production) that I announced was an off the cuff remark for meeting of shortage of coal and I was criticised for this. But today we are worried how are we going to sell the excess production”.

There is an availability of almost 20 days stock and there is not a single plant in the country which is shut due to shortage of coal.

It was earlier reported that the government has decided to push back its target of coal production of one billion tonne by 2020 as it does not have takers for the produce.

Coal India had set a target of 598 MT of production in 2016-17. 

Source Link: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/54459898.cms? utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Meeting with Shri C. R. Chaudhary Hon’ble Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

Meeting with Aluminum Associations of India in New Delhi

Meeting with Federation of All India Aluminium Utensils Manufacturers & Aluminium Secondary Manufacturers Association

Met the delegation of Confederation of Nepalese Industries

Meeting with H.E. Mr. Alexandre Ziegler, Ambassador of France to India

JAIPUR: Assuring small-scale businessmen that the era of e-commerce would not affect their trade, Union minister Piyush Goyal today said the importance of corner stores and small shops would only increase in the coming days as compared to big shopping malls. 

Citing examples of America and Europe, the Union Minister of State for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy said the relevance of corner stores was increasing and big malls were becoming “unviable”. Therefore, he said small-scale businessmen should not have any concern. 

“The relevance of small shops would not lessen. In America and Europe, the number of corner stores is increasing whereas the big malls are being shut down. In the era of e-commerce, the relevance and importance of small shops would only increase,” Goyal said at the 3rd Yuvak-Yuvti Parichay Sammelan of Shri Agrawal Parmarth Seva Samiti here. 

“Delegations come to us to express concern over the impact of supermarkets and e-commerce on small businesses but I do not see any concern because I understand that supermarkets are now becoming unviable and e-commerce will only benefit small businesses. Corner stores and shops will continue to be relevant,” he said. 

As compared to supermarkets, goods purchased from small shops are cheaper. The customer not only has to pay more for the goods but also has to spend on parking, food etc. at the malls, the Union minister pointed out. 

On another note, Goyal said politics is a “means to serve the society”. He said there were certain customs in the society which needed to be “eliminated”. 

“The time has come to link the community with active politics and serve the society as a whole. Members of the community have the capability to serve it with honesty and more and more people should come forward to do that through politics,” he said. 

The Union minister lamented the fact that even after 70 years since Independence, nearly 20-22 crore people in the country were without electricity. 

“Crores of students are deprived of good education. They are forced to drop out and work at farms. The reason behind this is that good people did not join politics. I want to provide electricity to every household. This too is a community service in a way,” said Goyal. 

He said in the coming years, the eastern states would get Rs 3.25 lakh crore from the auction of coal blocks and the money will be spent on public service and welfare of people. 

Source Link:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/54289094.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Meeting with Smt Archana Chitnis, Hon’ble Minister of Women & Child Development, Madhya Pradesh