Sanjay Jog

Mumbai: The coal production increased 7.8% to 492.95 million tonne (mt) in 2008-09 from 457.08 mt during 2007-08. Of the 36 mt surged in the pan-India production (including that of Meghalaya), Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) contributed 24 mt and 4 mt, respectively, and captive blocks shared 8 mt.

Australia's government defended its scheme to cut carbon emissions on Friday, amid mining industry warnings that its carbon trading plan would cost 23,000 resource sector jobs as the country battles recession.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association (BELA), has been awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize 2009 for the Asia region in recognition of her contribution to the conservation of the environment.

Australia's coal and gas producers, including miner Rio Tinto Ltd, said the government must give more assistance to major emitting export industries, and to increase the number of free carbon pollution permits.

ANGUL: India

Govt Allots Coal Blocks To Navin Jindal-Led Co, Tata-Sasol JV; $18-B Projects To Convert Coal Into Oil, Fertilisers
Subhash Narayan & Pramugdha Mamgain
NEW DELHI

- Visiting central team denies PSUs