In India, what is the role of the Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO)? 1. CCO is the major source of Coal Statistics in Government of India. 2. It monitors progress of development of Captive Coal/Lignite blocks. 3. It hears any objection to the Government’s notification relating to acquisition of coal-bearing areas. 4. It ensures that coal mining companies deliver the coal to end users in the prescribed time. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Cites the Coal Controller as the source of provisional coal and lignite production statistics, implying the CCO collects and publishes production data.

A student could infer that an agency that compiles production statistics likely tracks outputs from different types of blocks (including captive/lignite) and then check CCO publications for block-level progress data.

Specifies 'Provisional Coal Statistics 2016–17, Coal Controller's Organization, Kolkata' as a data source, showing CCO provides detailed coalfield/region information.

One could extend this by looking up such CCO reports to see whether they include development or production status of individual captive blocks.

Explains the captive mining regime and notes that allocations were made without bidding and without described mechanisms, suggesting regulatory or monitoring needs for captive blocks.

Given the special allocation regime, a student might reason that a central statistical/regulatory body (like CCO) would be a plausible place to monitor progress and compliance, and hence examine CCO functions or circulars for oversight roles.

Mentions the 'Coal Mitra Web Portal' launched to manage coal utilisation and transfers, indicating the sector uses centralized information systems for monitoring and management.

By analogy, a student could check whether the CCO feeds data to or uses such portals to monitor development of blocks, especially captive/lignite ones.

Notes policy shifts allowing different bidding/usage regimes for coal blocks, implying evolving oversight requirements over block allocation and development.

A student might deduce that policy changes increase the need for monitoring by agencies like the CCO and therefore review CCO responsibilities in the context of these reforms.

States that 'Regulation of mines and mineral development' is on the Union List and that the Centre frames rules/regulations for minerals like coal, implying central bodies may have regulatory/administrative roles over coal.

A student could use this to check central statutes/notifications (e.g., the Coal Bearing Areas Act/regulations) to see whether functions like hearing objections are assigned to a central office such as the CCO.

Mentions the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957 and that its validity was litigated, showing there is specific central legislation governing acquisition of coal-bearing areas.

Knowing a central Act exists, a student could examine that Act’s text or rules to locate who is empowered to issue notifications and who is authorised to receive/hear objections.

Repeats that the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957 is central legislation challenged in court, reinforcing that acquisition is governed by statutory procedure at the Union level.

Use the Act as a starting point to trace delegated powers to administrative bodies (e.g., whether the Coal Controller’s Organization is named for procedural tasks like hearing objections).

Identifies the Coal Controller's Organization (Kolkata) as the source of official provisional coal statistics, showing the CCO is an official central agency involved in coal administration/data.

From the CCO’s role as an official agency, a student might infer it could have broader administrative functions and therefore check its mandate or rules to confirm if objections/hearings are within its remit.

Lists the CCO as the source for provisional coal statistics and locates major coal reserves, again demonstrating the CCO’s formal presence in central coal administration.

A student could combine this institutional evidence with the Act (from snippets above) to inspect whether statutory procedures for acquisition delegate objection-hearing powers to the CCO.