In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Power Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia said India may require 516 million tonne of coal in 2013-14.
Of this, 441 million tonne may be met domestically from local coal companies and captive mines. This leaves a shortfall of 75 million tonne, which would be filled through import.
In 2013-14, government advised power utilities to import 50 million tonne of coal while the companies have sourced 30.2 million tonne coal till July this year, the minister said.
According to the equivalent gross calorific value of the imported coal, power companies have been advised to import 50 million tonne of imported coal.
Price of the imported coal depends on various factors such as heat value, moisture and ash content, source of origin and varies from week to week.