In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO)?

1. CCO is the major source of coal Statistics in the Government of India.
2. It monitors the progress of the development of Captive Coal/ Lignite blocks.
3. It hears any objection to the Government’s notification relating to the acquisition of coal-bearing areas.
4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 3 and 4 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 1, 2 and 4

Explanation

Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct

• The Coal Controller’s Organization is a subordinate Office of Ministry of Coal, having its offices at Kolkata, Delhi and field Offices at Dhanbad, Ranchi, Bilaspur, Nagpur, Sambalpur and Kothagudem.
• The Coal Controller Organisation performs various functions under different statutes/rules to ensure fair production and commercial transactions of coal, including quality surveillance.
• To ensure fair production and commercial transactions, it has been entrusted with the following responsibilities:
  • It maintains coal production data of all private and public sector coal mines in the country. The information is collected on monthly basis.
  • Coal Controller has been made the statistical authority with respect to coal and lignite statistics. Entrusted the responsibility of carrying out Annual Coal & Lignite survey and publishing of Provisional Coal Statistics and Coal Directory of India.
  • Inspection of collieries so as to ensure the correctness of the class, grade or size of coal.
  • To issue directives for the purpose of declaration and maintenance of grades of coal of a seam mined in a colliery.
  • Undertaking the development of coal mines in a scientific manner.
  • To act as the appellate authority in case of dispute between consumers and the owner arising out of the declaration of the grade and size of coal.
  • To regulate the disposal of stock of coal or the expected output of coal in the colliery.
  • Quality surveillance with respect to maintenance of grade, loading of coal in wagons/ trucks according to laid down procedures regarding grades and sizes.
  • To grant opening / re-opening permission of coal mine, seam or a section of seam or to sub-divide a mine.
  • Assessment and collection of excise duty levied on all raw coal raised and dispatched.
  • Submission of monthly coal data to different ministries of the Central and State Governments, national and international organisations.
  • Under Coal Bearing Area (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957– Coal Controller is the competent authority under this act to hear any objection to the Central Government’s Notification relating to acquisition of coal bearing land and to furnish his reports to Central Govt.
• Ensuring that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time is not the function of Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO).

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3; Difficulty Level: Hard