The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on June 24, 2026, issued the Discussion Paper on Methodological Approaches for Compilation of Monetary Asset Accounts of Coal in India.
The following has been stated namely: -
• MoSPI has released a discussion paper titled "Methodological Approaches for Compilation of Monetary Asset Accounts of Coal in India", aligned with the UN-endorsed SEEA (System of Environmental-Economic Accounting) Central Framework.
• The new initiative moves beyond physical quantities to experimental monetary valuation of mineral and energy resources, starting with coal.
• Monetary valuation helps estimate:
o Economic value of natural resources,
o Resource depletion costs,
o Future government revenues from extraction,
o Comparisons across different environmental assets.
• The exercise supports the objectives of the National Mineral Policy 2019, which emphasizes sustainable mining and resource management.
• The paper reviews and compares three international methodologies:
o OECD (2025) Compilation Guide,
o World Bank’s Changing Wealth of Nations (CWON, 2024),
o Philippines-based methodology (2024).
• It assesses these methods based on conceptual soundness, data requirements, and suitability for India's statistical system.
• The paper presents physical asset accounts for coal from 2015–16 to 2023–24, using data from the Geological Survey of India and official statistical publications.
• Coal was chosen as the pilot resource because it is India's most important domestic energy source, supporting electricity generation and industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals.
• The paper recommends the OECD (2025) methodology as the most suitable for India. It uses the Net Present Value (NPV) approach and Residual Value Method, aligns with SEEA and national accounts standards, and can be implemented using India's existing statistical infrastructure.
• Feedback may be sent at [email protected]
[Press Release ID: 2277379]
