Why in the news?

• The Coal Ministry has notified new rules removing the requirement of Coal Controller Organisation (CCO) approval for the opening or reopening of coal mines.

Coal Controller Organization

• What is it?: Coal Controller Organisation functions as a subordinate office of the Ministry of Coal, collecting and maintaining coal production data from all public and private sector coal mines in India.
• Data Collection Frequency: Monthly
• Key Functions:
  • Inspection of collieries to verify correctness of coal class, grade, and size.
  • Issuing directives for declaration and maintenance of coal grades of seams mined in collieries.
  • Acting as appellate authority in disputes between consumers and mine owners regarding grade and size of coal.
  • Regulation of coal stock disposal and expected coal output from collieries.
  • Quality surveillance: Ensuring correct grade maintenance.
  • Assessment and collection of excise duty on raw coal raised and dispatched.
  • Submission of monthly coal statistics to Central and State Ministries.

Source: The Hindu