Correct Option
The Coal Controller's Organization (CCO) operates under the Ministry of Coal and performs several statutory and regulatory functions. The statements describe its key roles:
- The CCO serves as the primary official source for coal statistics in the Government of India. It is responsible for collecting, compiling, and publishing comprehensive data on coal production, dispatch, prices, grades, and stock levels, making it a crucial repository of information for policy-making and analysis.
- It monitors the progress of development of captive coal and lignite blocks. This involves overseeing the timely execution of mining plans, ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of block allocation, and reporting on their operational status.
- Under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957, the CCO is empowered to hear objections to notifications issued by the government regarding the acquisition of coal-bearing areas. It then submits its findings and recommendations to the Central Government for further action.
Thus, statements 1, 2, and 3 accurately reflect the functions of the Coal Controller's Organization.
Incorrect Options
Statement 4 is incorrect: The CCO's mandate does not include ensuring that coal mining companies deliver coal to end-users within prescribed timelines. This function primarily lies with the mining companies, the Ministry of Coal, or other regulatory bodies involved in coal distribution and logistics, rather than the CCO.
- Option (b) is incorrect because it includes statement 4, which is false.
- Option (c) is incorrect because it omits statement 3, which is a correct function of the CCO.
- Option (d) is incorrect because it includes statement 4, which is false.