The Union Coal and Power Minister, Piyush Goyal, is keen to take environment ministry on board in his effort to ramp up production of Coal India Ltd (CIL).

According to sources, at a review meeting in Kolkata on Thursday, top CIL officials identified prolonged delays in securing green clearances as a major hurdle.

They pointed out that differences between the two ministries often lead to penalisation of coal officials.

Coal production suffered a serious jolt last year after environment ministry started slapping criminal charges against CIL officials for extracting more coal than permitted.

Sources say, Goyal assured the company he would sensitise the ministry of environment and forest on the issue.

Later, the minister said increasing coal output and sorting out environmental issues were his priority. He blamed a legacy of inaction, ineptitude and policy paralysis as the reason behind the fuel crisis.

Goyal has already had a preliminary discussion with the minister for environment and forests.

A meeting is also scheduled in next four days.

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