Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi on 27<sup>th</sup> March 2023, Monday said the Central Government has initiated several steps to ramp up domestic coal production in the country to achieve self-reliance.<br />'' <br />''The Minister in a written reply in Rajya Sabha said, 100 per cent foreign direct investment has also been allowed for commercial mining. Domestic coal production has increased by 8.67 per cent in 2021-22 over the previous year. He said, in the current financial year till February, domestic coal production has risen by 15 per cent compared to last year.<br />'' <br />''He further added that most of the coal requirement in the country is met through indigenous production and supply. Mr Joshi said, the focus of the Government is on increasing the domestic production of coal and eliminating the non-essential import of coal in the country. <br />''<br />''The Minister said that to achieve the target, an inter-ministerial committee has also been constituted for the coal import substitution.<br />''<span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />