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Head Honcho Speak

Work comes as a natural thing for Partha S Bhattacharya, who was not only able to bring the BCCL out of the red but also has made a mark ever since he joined as Chairman of the Coal India Ltd(CIL). In this era of mobile telephony, Bhattacharya last year organized two day brain storming sessions to improve coal production and overcome difficulties being faced by coal miners. The brainstorming session was so unique that neither Coal Minister nor any of the top officials of the Indian Ministry were allowed to keep their mobile phones on. The "vichar manthan"(brainstorming) did yield nectar in the shape of many positive things.

The CIL Chairman Bhattacharya is quite agile but with an attitude of modesty he is able to win hearts of all. He told <whispersinthecorridors.com> in a chat, "In order to match the future demand of Coal, CIL has planned to introduce high capacity Heavy Earth Moving Machinery in its Open cast Mines. CIL has also plans to open up large Underground Mines to meet the future coal demand from Underground Mines in a big way. This will require technology transfer from foreign countries."

1/What is the 'mantra' for your success ?

Pride of belongingness to the institution, making the work enjoyable for self and other members of the team who share a common commitment.

2/How were you able to bring the BCCL out of the red and achieve such a major turn around ?

BCCL was formed in 1971 through nationalization of Coking Coal mines. Subsequently non-coking coal mines were also nationalized and handed over to BCCL. It became a Subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) on 1.11.1975. During the initial years after nationalization, BCCL was producing around 19 to 20 mill. tons of coal. The production increased slowly and stabilized at around 27 to 28 mill. tons in the nineties. This continued up to 1999-00 (27.90 mill. tons). Since then the production started declining sharply and reached a level of 22.68 mill. tons by 2003-04. During the 5 year period 1999-00 to 2003-04, the Company incurred an aggregate loss of Rs. 3801 crores of which around Rs. 1874.6 crores were cash losses. These cash losses led to accumulation of huge liabilities towards PF authorities, suppliers of goods and services, employees and the CISF. The continuing fall in coal production during this period aggravated the financial crisis and the Company found itself in a vicious circle.

The turn around from a near bankruptcy situation was made possible through dedicated and sustained pursuit, of a revival strategy focused on enhancing production of high value coking coal and washed coal, and arresting / reversing the trend of persistent decline in coal production since 1999-2000.

The need for conceiving and pursuing a revival strategy focused more on value enhancement as well as on volume of production rather than on production alone arose essentially from the fact that the high density of population, difficult mining conditions and associated legacy problem severely restrict the scope of increase in coal production.

Several decisive steps were taken towards the end of FY 04 and the order of the priorities was readjusted to turn around from a near hopeless situation. In order to procure production-holding items on a fast track and subsequent payment, sufficient powers were extended to concerned Directors.

Secondly, funds for investment for replacement of worn out assets were tied up with CIL even before the Revival Plan could be taken up for approval. This paved the way for infusion of new equipment in the Company in 2005-06. Procurement of HEMM was adopted as a major thrust area.

To supplement the drive to improve production from departmental mines by re-vamping the existing capacity, efforts were made to obtain coal production from isolated patches by deployment of hired HEMM.

The combined outcome of these measures is a reversal of the trend of decline in coal production established since 2000-01. There was a growth in coal production by around 1 mill. tons (4.4% ).

In 2003-04, the break-even level of production was around 30.68 mill. tons. Achieving increase in production of such magnitude was ruled out under the given circumstances. It therefore became imperative to focus on a) increasing production of high value prime washed coking coal, and, b) unshackle the constraints in value realization, wherever possible. Accordingly efforts were made to reverse the steep decline in washed coal production witnessed during the earlier years. The decline was halted in 2004-05 and in 2005-06 the washed coal production touched 22.9 lakh tons as against 18.65 lakh tons in the previous year - an increase of 4.25 lakh tons, i.e. 22.8%. Simultaneously, a remunerative price for washed coal was arrived at bilaterally with SAIL.

The Washery segment incurring losses continuously till 2003-04, managed to turn around in 2004-05 with a profit of Rs. 58.38 crores has earned a profit of Rs. 280.06 crores in 2005-06.

To further unshackle the constraints on value realization, BCCL pioneered e-marketing of coal sale to non-core sector. This was commenced in 2004-05 but has matured only in 2005-06. In 2005-06 the total quantity of coal sold and lifted through e-marketing was 2.95 mill. tons and the additional revenue realized over the notified price from such sale is Rs. 195 crores.

As a consequence of all the above measures, acting in tandem, the Company has earned profit of Rs.205 crores solely from operations, for the first time in its history, in 2005-06 even after absorbing the impact of revision of wages under NCWA-VII signed in July 2005.

3/What are your priorities as Coal India Chairman

To match the growth rate, we need to step up production from the present level of 363 million tonnes to 521 million tons by the end of XI Plan. Incremental production has to be stepped up from 84 million tons during X Plan to 157 million tons in the XI plan period.

In order to meet this formidable task the priorities are (a) Achieving quantum jump in coal production thereby narrowing demand-supply gap. (b) Issues regarding environmental pollution & its mitigation. (c) Social dislocation/disturbances & its mitigation by formulating a more acceptable Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) policy to facilitate acquisition of land for mining and integrating the same with (d) restoration of used up land to original shape by implementing a well defined land reclamation policy that envisages large scale commercial plantation or pisciculture through Cooperatives or SHGs formed out of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) (e) Intensify exploration to establish further coal reserves. (f) Infusing appropriate technology specially for UG mining, coal beneficiation, safety etc. (g) Reducing cost of production to improve competitiveness (h) Tackling competition from upcoming domestic players as well as imported coal. (i) Beneficiating non-coking coal on a substantially larger scale & supplying quality coal as per buyers' choice. (j) Adopting safe mining practices with reduction in accident rate. (k) Adopting clean coal technologies-UG/SURFACE gasification of Coal, CBM, CMM, AMM, liquefaction of coal (l) Acquiring overseas mining stakes. etc.

We cannot achieve this high growth alone and will have to download the challenge to technology providers and equipment suppliers. I am happy that the country has created a lot of equipment manufacturing capacity. It is good that the mining equipment industry in India is developing with quite a number of manufacturers operating and I am confident that they shall be able to deliver what they are expected in the years to come.

4/How do you foresee coal scenario in India when PSU majors like NTPC and SAIL are still importing coal?

India produced 618 billion units of power during 2005-06 of which generation through coal was 405 Billion units which clearly defines the role of coal in India's power sector. CIL has ensured that no power station ever starves of coal and if they have faced problems it is due to reasons other than non-availability of coal.
Besides, CIL delivers coal at a price which in energy units is competitive vis-a-vis imported coal at the user location despite the high ash content and cross-subsidisation of passenger freight by coal freight. Every year a gap remains between projected demand and the actual requirement of Coal. In case of 2005-06 and 2006-07 demand of 376.20 Mill T and 414.30 Mill T were projected, but actual materialization was 332.73 Mill T in 2005-06 and expected materialization during 2006-07 is assessed to be 346.00 Mill T. Production during 2005-06 was 343.37 and expected production during 2006-07 will be 363.8 Mill T. This resulted into a stock accumulation of 10.64 Mill T in 2005-06 and expected stock accumulation of 17.8 Mill T in 2006-07. This may lead to a stock position of about 50 Mill T by the end of this financial year far beyond the desirable level of 30 days production i.e. 30 Mill T. The eventual implication will be a series of stock maintenance related problems.

However, since high grade coking coal for steel making is not available in abundance, importing is required to supplement the indigenous availability.

5/List three major achievements in BCCL

Reversing the trend of decline in coal production, introduction of e-marketing of coal, introducing coal production with hired machines amidst stiff oppositon.

6/Demand for Ad-valorem duty on coal has been sought by many states. What is your view on this?

The matter is under consideration of the Government. A committee appointed by the Planning commission is examining the present system vis-à-vis Ad-valorem. A comment at this stage shall not be proper.

7/By when do you think India will become self reliant in Coal Production ?

The country is already self-reliant in non-coking coal segment. Nevertheless the high GDP growth rates are associated with concern of its sustainability. Well in time it was realized that incremental growth in the supply of energy is crucial for sustaining the GDP growth. Accordingly, the Integrated Energy Policy (IEP) Committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. Kirit S. Parikh, Member Planning Commission. The committee has since submitted its report and has envisaged a major role for the coal sector to meet the country's growing energy needs in future. In a way this reinforces the earlier findings of the High Powered Fuel Policy committee set up in early seventies. The coal demand as projected in the IEP document is expected to rise at an accelerated pace and in 2031-32 be within the range of 1600 million tones (least coal consumption strategy) or 2600 million tones (continuing the present trend). As compared to current consumption of 460 million tonnes per annum, this represents a CAGR of 5.11 to 7.17 %. A CAGR of 6.05% shall be required to support coal consumption @ 2000 mtpa in 2031-32.

The Public Enterprises in coal sector viz. Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Ltd. (SCCL) accounts for 94% of current coal production of the country. With the adoption of a liberalized policy in allotting coal blocks to end users and its development through captive mining, other players are expected to come in the coal sector sooner than later. This will compliment the effort of the PSEs in meeting coal demand of the country. As a consequence, the country is expected to remain self-reliant in respect of thermal coal for all time to come. However, coking coal requirement will have to be met through imports to a substantial extent in the foreseeable future.

8/What innovations in terms of Technology and managements are in the offing ?

In order to match the future demand of Coal, CIL has planned to introduce high capacity Heavy Earth Moving Machinery in its Open cast Mines. CIL has also a plans to open up large Underground Mines to meet the future coal demand from Underground Mines in a big way. This will require technology transfer from foreign countries. At present, CIL is using the Continuous Miner technology and Power Support Long Wall (PSLW) in some of its Mines. Applying these technologies in general and PSLW in particular for large scale coal production (2 to 5 MT) shall require the expertise available in foreign countries. Besides, CIL has future plan to install coal washeries with state-of-the-art technology which will ensure supplying good quality of coal to its consumers.

Who will be new Chairman of the Railway Board ?

Who will be the new Chairman of the Railway Board in July ? If insiders are to be believed, Member (Staff) K C Jena and General Manager of the Gorakhpur Division Sukhbir Singh are the main contenders.

Number of 1977 batch IAS to touch 50 mark

List of the empanelment of 1977 batch IAS officers to the rank of Additional Secretary in the Government of India has reached to the ACC. If couple of names are added then the total number will go up to 50.

Shrivastava to be DGP of Assam

G M Shrivastava is likely to return to the parent Assam-Meghalaya cadre as DGP of Assam. 1972 batch IPS officer, Shrivastava, is presently DGP of Tripura.

Sudhakar Rao to be Chairman?

Grapevine has it that Dr Sudhakar Rao is being appointed Chairman of the newly created Securities Printing and Minting Corporation of India. He is 1973 batch IAS officer of Karnataka cadre.

Gupta to be Special director IB

Anil Kumar Gupta is being tipped to be Special Director Intelligence Bureau. 1972 batch West Bengal cadre IAS officer Gupta is returning from his foreign assignment.

Renuka places Sonia at number four on International Women's Day

AICC President Ms. Sonia Gandhi may be number one for other Congress persons but not for the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Ms.Renuka Chowdhury. In an advertisement released by her ministery on International Women's Day, spending Rs Six crore, Ms Gandhi comes fourth in the row of photographs on top.

List of promotions of 1986 batch IRS with PM

55 IRS (Income-Tax) officers belonging to 1986 and 1987 batch are being promoted to the rank of Commissioner. List is presently lying with the Prime Minister for signature.

IT & RBI officers on radar of Intelligence agencies

Indian Intelligence Agencies have stumbled upon the fact that Certain officials of the Income Tax (IT) department and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have reportedly had a close bonhomie between them and officials of the US Embassy as well as US Consulate general across the country. Sleuths of those agencies are trying to figure out the real reason for such an unholy alliance. Basically, such activities have come to light in certain cities including two metros besides Delhi.

Chanda is Chairman of Kolkata Port Trust

Anup Kumar Chanda has taken over as new Chairman of the Kolkata Port Trust. He is 1976 batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre.

New novel of IAS officer

BKS Ray, IAS (1972 - Chhattisgarh), has come out with his English novel, "The Revolutionary" (Konark Publication, New Delhi, 2006). The novel relates to the stories of two intimate friends who have pledged themselves to fight extremist violence through the doctrine of non-violent revolution. The novel is an attack on left-wing extremism creating havoc in India. Going back to the 60s, 70s and 80s, the novelist traces the origin of left-wing extremism. Despite heavy odds, the two friends Sanjay and Vinay never give up hope. Finally, Sanjay is killed in the hands of Naxalites at Purulia in West Bengal while addressing an anti-Naxalite rally. Vinay, a non-violent fighter pays glowing tributes to his life-long friend Sanjay calling him a "revolutionary with perpetual smiles both in life and in death!".

Sudhir Chaudhry joins Janmat
Former India TV man Sudhir Chaudhry has joined the Janmat as Channel Head.

IPS reshuffle in Punjab

There is IPS reshuffle in Punjab. New postings are :-Mssrs S S Saini IG Vigilance Bureau,Shashi Kant ADG Intelligence, Izhar Alam DG Jails,J P Virdi ADG Railways,Anil Kaushik ADG Security,Sanjeev Kalra IG Jullandhar,V K Bhawra IG Intelligence,N P Singh DIG Jullandhar,J K Jain DIG Faridkot and P S Gill DIG Patiala.

Foreign officers likely on ships

A proposal is on the anvil to allow foreign officers to work on Indian ships.This active consideration of Delhi. However, foreign officers will be permitted to work after they fulfill certain conditions, which will be decided in consultation with the shipping industry.

SC Collegium and Justice Bhayana

The Indian Apex Court's Collegium is understood have cleared Justice S L Bhayana for confirmation as a regular judge of Delhi High Court.The Collegium included the Chief Justice of India(CJI)as well which cleared Justice Bhayana for the second time.It may be stated that he had acquitted Manu Sharma of killing Jessica Lall in "Tamarind Court"-a restaurant owned by noted socialite Bina Ramani.In the wake of criticism by Justice R S Sodhi and Justice P K Bhasin who had over ruled Justice,Bhayana,the related file was earlier returned by Indian President Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam.This was the second instance of this kind where the President had returned file,first being the case of Justice Jagdish Bhalla as chief justice in Kerala.

National Mission on Monuments

Indian Government is going to set up National Mission on Monument and Antiquities. The Mission would prepare a National Data Base on Built Heritage and Antiquities.

NAK Browne is Dy Chief of Air Staff

Air Marshal NAK Browne AVSM VM has taken over as Deputy Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhawan.Air Marshal NAK Browne AVSM VM was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF in June 1972.

National Commission on Libraries

Based on recommendation of the National Knowledge Commission Indian Government has planned to forma a National Commission on Libraries as an independent and financially autonomous body.

FORUM

(The views expressed in this column are necessarily of their respective contributors. We do not own any responsibility, whatsoever, about these contributions).

Suggestion of Pavan Ved is fair and just

Pavan Ved's suggestion is fair and just. But who will bell the cat ? The IAS cadre wouldn't accept this ideal situation at any cost. Secondly, suggestions and debates in this forum or website will not make any difference. The reality will prevail.

Sandeep Mishra

Prime Minister scouting for IAS officer who has Finance background

It is surprising that a post as important as this is lying vacant since 2004. The PM should look beyond the IAS and not get bogged down by procedural issues such as whether an officer is empanelled as Secretary. We are aware of the fact that excellent officers from other services who have knowledge of Finance and other specialties do not get a chance of even becoming Joint Secretaries thanks to the IAS. I suppose there would be a new proposal of the IAS to send one of their ilk on Foreign training in Finance so that such posts may be filled up. Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi did not hesitate to pick up suitable persons and appoint them directly as and when needed. It is an irony that the PM was himself one such person.

Palani T

God bless our service

It would be unfair to compare with a person like Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, our beloved President on the issue of retirement. There is only one Dr Kalam. One can only dream to emulate him. Having got opportunity of working in MOD when he was scientific adviser to Raksha Mantri, I can say is wonderful person. In our service there is hardly any one who has declined the offer of post-retirement assignment. Infact lots of our senior colleagues trying to outsmart each other for getting service extensions or post retirement appointments. Can we pray that some of our esteemed colleagues set an example. Hope for the best. God bless our service.

T Ramchandru

Justice Bali is the right choice

I know VK Bali for the last 22 years. He has a judicious mind and patience to hear the pleadings of the advocates in the court room. Very hardworking in his profession which helped him to be elevated as Judge of the Pb. & Haryana High Court and later Chief Justice of the Kerla High Court. As a judge he never kept his judgements pending rather used to pronounce in the courtroom itself. This was only possible when he used to be well prepared with the cases placed before him at the time of hearing. The President Of India appointed him Chairman of CAT seeing into his very good achievments. May GOD bless him and his family.

Ram Kumar Garg

TAIL-PIECE

One who drinks alone goes to narak-lok and the one who sips it with friends goes to swarg-lok. And the one who does not drink goes eventually to Jaslok.

Aaj Ki Aawaz

Kuldip Bishnoi aka Bhajan Lal's son was begging to be dismissed,
In recent times to attack Congress or High Command no opportunity he missed!!!

Now Papa Bhajan will also try the same,
And then for his being chucked out Congress ko karre ga Bhajan blame!!!

Bhanjan is trying to force Congress's hand by chumming up with Natwar Singh,
And now Natwar Bhajan ke bhajan karr raha hai sing!!!

But while exiting Bhanjan will ensure that he keeps a route to come back,
One of the reasons why he wants ki Congress karre uss ko sack!!!!

Portfolios in Punjab have been announced…. Badal has his plate overflowing,
Captain Kanwaljit is looking dull and quite a few in the younger lot are glowing!!!

But Badal has the stamina, experience and capablity to deflty handle the plate,
And he is a workaholic..... is at work early and retires for the day very late!!!

Manpreet Badal is Punjab's FM…… could not have been a better pick,
He will nurse Punjab's Financial position to healthy….. as of now its very sick!!!

Manpreet is someone who has love for Punjab in his khoon,
His becoming FM is for Punjab a boon!!

Sukhbir Badal has truly arrived on the political map,
Strategy for this win Sukhbir ne kitha si ( did in Punjabi) map!!!

Amrinder nowadays sings …. Jaane kaha gaye woh dinn,
Now that trappings of power have gone reality is sinking in!!

Amrinder should have known that such things do not last,
But one thing is there that as long as he was in power he had a blast!!!

SC has questioned Sarkar on 27% OBC quota…. criteria kaise kiya determine,
Asked ki criteria for socially and educationally backward classes ko karro define!!!

SC says 1931 Census is not the factual basis….. 'lost its efficacy' is what the SC says,
SC terms this as political establishment's wily ways!!!

BJP has appointed a five Member Team planning and overseeing UP elections!!!
Will it be also responsible for Candidate selections???

Everything pertaining to UP elections should be this Team's responsibility,
Otherwise Team ke role and power mein there will be debility!!!

And with his recent successes Jaitley should be at the helm in UP too,
Though to this proposal Rajanth will be the first to boo!!!

But today its important they realize that winning is what matters,
Loss in UP would mean BJP would be back in tatters!!!

The next State elections are a uphill task for BJP…. Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and MP,
So its important that BJP does some wonder in UP!!!

SP ads say that UP mein hai dumm because UP mein juram hai kumm,
Iss baath mein nahi hai dumm!!!

UP will show its dumm when it'll vote out SP so that juram in reality ho jaye kumm,
Public sabh jaanthi hai and to change things elections Public ko dethi hai dumm!!!

Ram Jethmalani says that Manu's trial by Media was not right,
But Ram ji on Manu's Dad misusing power and money clout why are you loosing sight???

Media raised its voice against the injustice in the investigation by Police and verdict by Courts,
And brought the injustices into Public Domain by Media reports!!!

There is no way Manu can get any reprieve from the Court,
Via its Judgement HC ne Manu ko already karr diya hai sort!!!

And Ramu where is that Sikh boy who you allege shot Jessica…. blatant lie???
Court Ramu ke lies nahi karre gi buy!!!

If you want to make money in Stocks let your wifey make the picks,
Women outnumber the men in Brokerage Firm because they are 'intuitive chicks'!!!

They say women have the intuition to pick the correct stocks,
From the cradle now to even Stock Markets the Female hand rocks!!!!

Bharat Kumar

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CORPORATE

Garg to be ED of PNB !

General Manager of the Indian Bank J M Garg is being tipped to be Executive Director of the Punjab National Bank.

NBCC Chief gets award from the Prime Minister

Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, gave away the '2005-06 SCOPE Turnaround Award' and the 'Top Ten CPSE Awards for the years 2004-05 &2005-06' to NBCC, a construction PSU of the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India, for its outstanding business performance during these years.
Arup Roy Choudhury, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of NBCC, received the awards from the Prime Minister during the PSU Chief Executives' Conference held at Parliament Library Hall in New Delhi on March 8, 2007.

Speaking to the Press after the award function, Roy Choudhury said that this was a great achievement for a Construction Company to be amongst top 10 out of 242 Central PSUs while competing with Nav Ratna & Mini Ratna Companies.

Roy gave credit to the motivated team of workers, staff and officers of NBCC for this tremendous feat and making the Corporation, a living example of resurgence of a PSU on which hopes had almost been given up just years ago.

Giving account of the Corporation's performance, Shri Roy Choudhury stated that NBCC, with its well thought out new business strategy for growth, adopted since 2001 clubbed with Empowerment and Good Governance, had powered the exponential progress over the years.
Last year alone, he said, the total income of the Corporation rose by 64.32% to Rs.1317 crore, Net Profit by 85% to Rs.28.03 crore, Income Per Employee by 67.74% to Rs.52 lac, Employees Per Share by 81.35% to Rs.311.50.

Talking to this correspondent, Roy Choudhury also informed that NBCC had now become the largest construction PSU company in the country and while meeting all its social responsibilities, it is also paying dividend to the Government.

R P Singh gets award

Dr RP Singh, CMD, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) has been awarded the "Scope Award for Excellence and Outstanding Contribution to the Public Sector Management - Individual category for the year 2005-06" in recognition of his leadership and contribution towards growth of POWERGRID as well as Indian Power Sector. A Gold Plaque and a cash amount of Rs. 1,00,000/- (one lakh rupees only) was presented by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India to Dr. Singh during the Conference of Chief Executives of Public Sector Enterprises held in New Delhi today.
Further, POWER GRID CORPOPRATION OF INDIA LTD has been selected for the prestigious "MOU Excellence Award" for two consecutive years i.e. 2004-05 & 2005-06 for being amongst the Top Ten PSEs by the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises. These Awards were also presented to Dr. R.P. Singh, CMD, POWERGRID by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India during the same Conference.

Dr. R.P Singh has been closely associated with the Power Sector for 35 years covering critical areas of Generation, Transmission, and Large System Operation & Distribution. He has served with distinction premier Organizations like TISCO, NTPC & POWERGRID. He has been Chairman, POWERGRID since November, 1996.

Under his stewardship, POWERGRID has witnessed remarkable growth in terms of Asset, Turnover and Profits, registering a rise of 350, 230 and 230 percent respectively since he took over as CMD in November, 1996, comparing very favorably to International Benchmarks of leverages, profitability and power carrying capacity.

Dr. Singh has imparted great impetus to the setting up of National Grid and modernization of Load Dispatch Centers leading to almost uninterrupted grid availability and huge National savings. He has taken a leadership role in diversification into other areas like telecom and ushering in public -private partnership through the vital Tala Transmission Line.

Leena Nair is first woman VP of Hindustan Lever

Leena Nair has been promoted as vice president HR in Hindustan Lever Ltd. (HUL). She will be first woman manager in HUL's history to rise to vice president level.

New Director of Andhra Bank

T. Ravindranath has been appointed Director of the Andhra bank. He will represent workers.