Office of Coal Controller (earlier Coal Commissioner)

Subject :Polity

Section :National organisation

Concept:

It was established in 1916, is one of the oldest offices in Indian Coal sector.
Main aim behind setting up this office was to have Government control to adequately meet the coal requirement during First World War.
Acute scarcity of coal necessitated promulgation of Colliery Control Order, 1944 for effective control on production, distribution and pricing of coal. Later in 1996, distribution and pricing of coal was deregulated, Hence the Colliery Control Rules, 2004, governs it

Functions

It act as the appellate authority in case of dispute between consumers and owner arising out of declaration of grade and size of coal.
Quality surveillance with respect to maintenance of grade of coal
To grant opening / re-opening permission of coal mine, seam or a section of seam or to subdivide a mine.
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.
Assessment and collection of excise duty levied on all raw coal raised and dispatched.
Under Coal Mines (Conservation & Development) Act, 1974 and Coal Mines (Conservation and Development) Amendment Rules, 2011: Providing financial support to the coal operators for conservation of coal resources( Stowing in UG mines), Research, Infrastructure development, Protective works including blanketing with incombustible material, N2 & CO2 flushing, filling up of subsided areas, cutting of trenches etc.