CIL misses output target, blames rains

KOLKATA: State-run Coal India (CIL), world’s largest coal producer, has reported a 0.7% production growth at 185.68 million tonne in the first half of the current financial year, about 9% less than the target.

The company has blamed the monsoon, non-disposal of stock and shortage of railways for missing the target.

"Rainy season is one of the major causes for lower production," company director-technical, NC Jha told reporters.

The production in first half of the year is historically low due to number of factors including monsoon that picks up in the second half of a year, he said on Monday at the CIL foundation day celebrations.

Existing stock pile at pit-heads is a concern for the company and CIL has to manage production accordingly, he said. CIL, which started the 2010-11 financial year with a stock of 63 million tonne, could manage to clear only 15 million tonne so far.

"If we try to achieve the targeted production then pit-head stock pile will jump to 85 million tonne and that will turn into an area of concern for us," Mr Jha said.

Unavailability of rakes is also one of the reasons for rising stock pile at mines, he said. "We require about 185 rakes day but the railways manages to provide us 165 rakes a day," he added.