Prior to 1st January 1985 the SCCL coal was ungraded and the Government of India decided to extend the coal gradation to SCCL Mines on par with CIL on 1-1-1985. The Quality Management Department was setup to meet this requirement by the Company

The Dept. is headed by Chief GM (Quality Management). This Department has three major functions, namely

1. Quality Management of non-coking coal produced by SCCL with respect to the coal grades declared as per GOI notification and as per FSA's entered with major customers/consumers

2. Analytical function to assess the coal grade as per Useful Heat Value. Analysis of the mine gases from safety point of view and general analysis of various items as may be required by the company

3. Providing R&D support in related fields like "RAMDARS", "Early Detection of Mine fires" etc. Advising on washing coal for coal beneficiation etc. by providing technical knowledge and support

The Chief General Manager (Q.M.) is the autherised signatory on behalf of SCCL on Annual Coal Gradation made by the Company and submitted to the Coal Controller, Kolkata.

1. Declaration of annual grades and its maintenance

2. Quality-wise coal linkages to dispatch points for optimum sales realisation

3. Liaison with the office of the Coal Controller, Kolkata

4. Consumer guidance and attending to consumer complaints

5. Attending to the Joint Sample Collection as per FSA's

6. Technical guidance and co-ordination work with Area, Regional Laboratories and field quality control officers.

SCCL has entered into FSA's with KPCL, APGENCO, Navabharath Ferro Alloys Ltd., Bhadrachalam Paper Boards Ltd. and Joint Sampling Agreements with NTPC. SCCL is in advance stage of finalisation FSAs with MSEB and NTPC. Efforts have been made by the Quality Management Department at Corporate as well as at Area level to bring benefits to SCCL and satisfaction to consumers with the coming into force of FSA's.

There was an additional revenue of Rs.99.20 crores based on declared grade during the period of April '01 to Sept. '01, over the projected revenue during the same period in 2002. This increase in revenue was due the following reasons,

1. Increase in coal dispatches to an extent of 6,90,140.72 Tonnes, over the projected figures bringing additional revenue of Rs.62.76 crores

2. Increase in higher grade coal dispatches over the projected estimate due to product mix studies and quality improvement made at the dispatch points brought an additional revenue of Rs. 36.44 crores

The concerted efforts put by the Quality Management Department and the Area General Managers under the guidance of Directors and C&MD will bring prosperity to SCCL and utmost satisfaction to our consumers in the years to come.