The Union Cabinet on Wednesday relaxed rules for Coal India for extraction of natural gas lying below coal seams in its blocks in a bid to quickly boost production.

Till now, Coal India had to apply to the oil ministry for a licence to extract coal-bed methane from its coal blocks. Now, the world’s largest coal producer does not need such a permission.

This will expedite exploration and exploitation of coal-bed methane. The stock of Coal India will remain in focus.