CIL invites bids from firms for third party coal sampling

State-run Coal India Ltd (CIL) has invited bids from firms for collection of dry-fuel from mining heads and preparation of samples with analysis.

The development comes in the backdrop of PSUs like NTPC demanding independent sampling of coal.

"Coal India Ltd (CIL), a Maharatna PSU invites sealed tenders from prospective bidders/third party agencies, having experiences of sampling, analysis and documentation with government company/PSU units and organisations," the PSU has said inviting bids from firms.

It said the work entails round the clock collection of coal samples from various loading points of CIL collieries for eligible consumers in the "power sector drawing coal under fuel supply agreements."

The work also involves preparation of samples, analysis and documentation, it added.

The government earlier this month had said that there is a proposal to engage an independent third-party sampling agency for sampling and analysis of coal in view of general demand from the Public Sector Undertakings / Power Generating Companies after the introduction of Gross Calorific Value (GCV).

Minister of State for Coal, Pratik PrakashBapu Patil has said: "There is a provision in Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) between the coal supplying company and power houses for joint sampling at the loading ends."

As per FSA, supply of coal to power stations is made under joint sampling and analysis at loading ends and payment of coal by the power stations is made as per analysed grade.

Besides, provisions are also stipulated in the FSA for compensation of stones, jointly measured at the power house end in every month.

These provisions are part of FSA which was accepted by the coal companies and the consumers including NTPC.

Earlier, Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had pitched for reworking the current coal sampling procedure, amid power producers including NTPC expressing unhappiness over the quality of fuel supplied to them.