Amid shortage, govt allows coal mines to increase output without feedback from locals: Report

in a memo dated May 7, the environment ministry said the decision was taken after the ministry of coal pointed out a "huge pressure on domestic coal supply in the country", and added that "special dispensation" will be valid for six months, Reuters reported.

According to a Reuters report, the government is also planning to resume operations in more than 100 coal mines previously considered financially unsustainable.

This comes after months of low consumption as the country is hit by the worst power crisis in over six years triggered by a scorching heatwave, an increase in electricity demand owing to the resumption of industrial activities   

The projects "shall be granted expansion environmental clearance to increase their production capacity to 50 percent of original capacity within the same mine lease area without requiring revised environmental impact assessment report for additional capacity and public consultation," the memo read.

Additionally, the government has asked utilities to step up imports and directed Coal India to increase production to address supply gaps.

India is the world's second-largest coal producer, importer and consumer of coal and meets 75 percent of its energy requirements using coal.