‘Policy on coal linkages auction to power sector in 2-3 months’

The policy on auctioning of coal linkages to the power sector is likely to be finalised in two-three months, the government said on Thursday. "It (the proposed policy on auction of coal linkages to power sector) will take two to three months," Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters here after the launch of a portal on coal allocation and monitoring system for small and medium sector consumers.

"We are working jointly, between Power (Ministry) and Coal (Ministry) to make robust policy that will be most transparent, that will be most fair for all consumers, that will bring in greater degree of affordibility to the consumers of India for the power sector and that will ensure that everybody has equal opportunity to participate," he said.

Last month, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved allocation of coal linkages for non-regulated sector only through auction. 

Stating that the process of giving coal linkages was not fully transparent, Piyush Goyal had last month said that there were many complaints about the whole process.

State-controlled Coal India Ltd and Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) will put up a quarter of its production for auction to non-power companies. 

On the Sasan ultra mega power project getting government nod to produce 17.20 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) coal from Moher & Moher Amlohri extension mines, Goyal said the Coal Ministry has allowed for additional mining of 1.2 MT with certain conditions, particularly related to the fact that the coal be used by UMPP only and not be diverted for any other purpose.