The NTPC School of Business had the privilege of hosting Shri. Anil Swarup, former Coal Secretary of India, for an insightful expert lecture on “Energy Security and Coal Supply Chain in India.” The session provided a deep dive into the critical aspects of coal supply, energy security, and the challenges faced by policymakers and administrators in ensuring a robust and sustainable energy ecosystem.
Shri Anil Swarup, served as an Officer of the Indian Administrative Service, the 1981 batch; U.P. cadre, and delivered meritoriously for almost four decades. Much as he has held several key positions within the Union and State governments, he was relentless through his MAKE IT HAPPEN motto. He was accordingly selected as one of the 35 Action Heroes by India Today as part of its 35th Annual Edition.
Two hallmarks of his excellence, namely his sagacity and prudence transformed the image of the Coal Ministry, that was marred by the Coal Scam.
Key Takeaways from the Lecture
- What can you do to yourself?
- Scenario 1: Crisis at the Coal Ministry with scam & the scope for well – informed response to interpret reality.
- Nothing could get more worse.
- Recognize that:
- In many situations the problem has been created by someone else & people are time – constrained
- But never blame them
- Become a person to be reckoned with
- Look at want you can do depending on the time at hand.
- Focus on all that you can & not on aspects you cannot change
- Don’t
- indulge in areas that you can do nothing about
- waste time
- brood over the past / Everyone commits mistakes
- We strive to impress others – please don’t. (Referred to Reinhold Niebuhr & Gandhiji / Ethical dilemma of a civil servant).
- Understand the root cause of the dilemma
- Quantum of resource / location / clearances to access / engage stakeholders / political – social – technological – financial – administrative – judicial – emotional – environmental nexus
- Don’t Compromise; yet don’t have expectations / define roles
- Accommodate & accomplish & Trust the team and standby (the coal access through land acquisition and rail transport & coal availability examples)
- Secure political acceptance: Reach out to the local level; highlight value – proposition; communicate emphatically
- Acquire land / Enhance coal production (book on Encounter with politicians)
- Show the amount of money that is lost by not allowing use
- Robustness of legislation
- Demonstrate feasibility of actions & benefits / proofs of environmental action
- Mobilize human resource
- Appropriateness of options
- Sustain impacts with systems that outlast oneself
- Long term mine – wise plans
- Engage with State governments