New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI) The coal ministry on Wednesday said it has completed the annual exercise of sampling and grading of coal at 427 mines and the new fuel grade will be applicable from April 1 this year.

Of the total 427 mines, 331 are central public sector units, 69 under state governments and 27 private sector mines, the coal ministry said in a statement.

Also Read | NEET UG Exam 2024: City Intimation Slip for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Examination Released at exams.nta.ac.in, Know Steps To Download.

"To ensure the correctness of the grade, the samples drawn were analyzed in two different labs," it added.

The ministry further said, the process of "declaration of annual grading of seams of mines as per laid down procedure has been completed" and the declared grade will be applicable with effect from April 1, 2024.

Also Read | What Is the Zero Shadow Day in Bengaluru About? Here's All You Need To Know About This Rare Celestial Event.

The Coal Controller's Organisation (CCO), having its field offices at Dhanbad, Ranchi, Bilaspur, Nagpur, Sambalpur, and Kothagudem, carried out the exercise of drawing the coal samples and its analysis from coal and lignite mines for the ongoing financial year.

CCO, a subordinate office of the coal ministry, lays down the procedure and standard for sampling of dry fuel and inspects collieries to ensure the correctness of the class and grade of coal.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)