Consider the following statements :
- 1.Coal sector was nationalized by the Government of India under Indira Gandhi.
- 2.Now, coal blocks are allocated on lottery basis.
- 3.Till recently, India imported coal to meet the shortages of domestic supply, but now India is self-sufficient in coal production.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: A. Statement 1 is correct: coal mines were nationalised in 1971-73 under Indira Gandhi. Statement 2 is wrong: since 2015 coal blocks are allocated by auction (and allotment to government companies), not by lottery. Statement 3 is wrong: India still imports coal (as of 2019), especially coking coal. So 1 only.
Watch for: After the 2014 coal scam cancellations, students know allocation changed but may not recall it became auctions.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Wrong because coal blocks are auctioned, not given by lottery, and India still imports coal.
- C. Wrong because India is not self-sufficient in coal.
- D. Wrong because statements 2 and 3 are false.
Source to check: Coking Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1972 and Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973; Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015; Ministry of Coal website
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.