Minister of State for Coal, Pratik Prakashbapu Patil informed Lok Sabha that government has taken a series of steps including expeditious Environment & Forestry clearances to increase availability of coal for power projects.
 
 Among other steps taken by government are pursuing with Ministry of Railways for enhancing availability of rail rakes and approaching state government for necessary assistance in land acquisition and in problems relating to law and order.
 
 Besides, Coal India and its subsidiaries have taken many steps for augmenting coal production. This include (i) increasing the efficiency of the equipments, regular monitoring, mechanization as programmed and strict supervision of the existing mines and ongoing projects (ii) Capacity addition from new and future projects (iii) Consistent efforts for resolving issues of environmental & forestry clearances, land acquisition and law and order problems, the minister said.
 
 The main reasons for shortfall in coal production during the current year include abnormally excessive rain in major coalfields, imposition of Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) coupled with delay in environment & forestry clearances of major projects, Patil said.
 
 Other problems that led to shortfall are Resettlement and Rehabilitation issues, inadequate availability of railway wagons, law and order problems in some states, he added.