Ranchi, Oct. 5 -- States such as Jharkhand need to diversify their economies beyond coal mining as demand for coal from the power sector is expected to decline in the coming years, Rakesh Mohan, member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, said on Wednesday.

Speaking to the media, Mohan said declining thermal power generation and increasing mechanisation in mines could reduce employment opportunities for workers dependent on the coal sector.

Declining Coal Demand May Affect Jobs

"As thermal production decreases in the coming years, dependence on coal for power generation is set to decline. Mechanisation of mines would also lay off the workers," he said.

Mohan said coal-producing states, including Jharkhand, should id...