Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 27: In a move aimed at improving efficiency and accelerating coal production, the Centre on Friday notified new rules doing away with the requirement of approval from the Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) for opening a coal mine, individual seams or sections of a seam.

Under the amended provisions, the authority to grant such permissions has now been entrusted to the board of the concerned coal company. The change will also apply to approvals for restarting mines that have remained non-operational for 180 days or more.

However, the notified rules make it clear that company boards can accord approvals only after obtaining all requisite clearances from the central or state governments and relevant statutory bodies. The board will also be required to submit information regarding the opening of a mine to the CCO.

The Coal Ministry clarified that approval from the Coal Controller Organisation will continue to be mandatory for entities other than coal companies.

“The overall reform strikes a balanced approach by delegating operational decisions to company boards while retaining regulatory oversight and statutory safeguards,” the ministry said in a statement.

The government expects the move to help coal companies save up to two months in the operationalisation of a mine, thereby boosting production and improving efficiency in the sector.