G KISHAN REDDY ASSUMES ROLE AS UNION MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES

Upon taking charge, Reddy stressed the need to boost domestic coal production and reduce imports, highlighting significant progress in power availability over the past decade.

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On Thursday, G Kishan Reddy assumed his role as India’s Union Minister of Coal and Mines, expressing a strong commitment to increasing domestic coal production and reducing reliance on imports. This transition marks a significant shift in leadership, as the ministries were previously headed by Pralhad Joshi in the earlier Narendra Modi government. Joshi, now the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, and New and Renewable Energy, attended the ceremony to extend his best wishes to Reddy.

Upon taking charge, Reddy emphasized the need to boost domestic coal output, stating, “We should reduce import and increase domestic production.” This statement comes in the context of a notable rise in India’s coal imports, which grew by 7.7 percent to 268.24 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2024.