Coal India Limited Celebrates 50 Years of Success and Growth
Coal India Limited (CIL), a state-owned company in India, marked its 50th anniversary on November 1, 2024. Established in 1975, CIL was formed as a holding company for nationalized coking and non-coking coal mines. Over the years, CIL has grown significantly, increasing its coal production from 89 million tonnes in 1975-76 to 773.6 million tonnes in 2024, an 8.7-fold increase.
According to the Ministry of Coal, CIL supplies 80% of its coal to power plants at competitive rates, ensuring affordable electricity for citizens. Despite a reduction in workforce from 6.75 lakh employees in the early years to 2.25 lakh now, CIL has managed to boost its production.
Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, congratulated CIL on its achievements and emphasized the importance of increasing indigenous coal production to reduce costly imports. He highlighted the need for CIL to focus on social responsibility, welfare, and safety while ramping up production.
Over its five-decade journey, CIL has faced numerous challenges but has consistently met expectations. The company is now diversifying into solar power, pithead power stations, coal gasification, and critical minerals. Since 2007, CIL has celebrated its Foundation Day with events such as the J B Kumaramangalam Memorial lecture and awards for top performers. This year’s celebration will take place on November 3 in Kolkata.
Doubts Revealed
Coal India Limited -: Coal India Limited, or CIL, is a government-owned company in India that produces coal. It was established in 1975 and is one of the largest coal producers in the world.
50th anniversary -: The 50th anniversary means that Coal India Limited has been in operation for 50 years since it was established in 1975. They are celebrating this milestone in 2024.
Million tonnes -: A million tonnes is a way to measure a large amount of coal. One tonne is equal to 1,000 kilograms, so a million tonnes is a very large quantity of coal.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy -: G Kishan Reddy is a politician in India who is part of the government. He is a Union Minister, which means he has a high-ranking position in the Indian government.
Indigenous production -: Indigenous production means producing goods within the country itself, rather than importing them from other countries. This helps save money and supports local industries.
Solar power -: Solar power is energy that is generated from the sun using solar panels. It is a clean and renewable source of energy, unlike coal which is a fossil fuel.
Kolkata -: Kolkata is a large city in India, located in the state of West Bengal. It is known for its rich culture and history.