To tackle the energy crisis, the government of India has eased environmental approvals for coal companies. At select sites, they will be able to raise production by 10 per cent without undergoing a fresh impact assessment. The rules for consulting local residents have also been loosened.
Huge blackouts and economic losses are all too common given the supply-side crunch of coal, which is what fuels over 70 per cent of India's power demand. The country's mining operations and transport facilities are failing to keep pace with the demand for this resource.
This exemption is granted for the next six months and miners are trying to get maximum output before monsoon sets in.