Panel meet next week to discuss coal block issue

The Inter-Ministerial panel set up to look into the issues pertaining to supply of fuel to certain end-use plants linked to coal blocks will meet next week.

"The fifth meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) constituted... To consider issues related to the supply of coal to certain end-use plants linked to coal blocks will be held on 8th May," according to an office memorandum.

The panel under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary (Coal) A K Dubey was set up in March last year, it said.

It had earlier recommended that the quantum of fuel to those end-use plants which were initially allocated coal blocks but were later deallocated may be assured after taking the opinion of Coal India (CIL) and Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

"After discussions, the Committee recommended that the quantum of such coal supplies to... EUPs (end-use plants) which were already having coal linkages and were subsequently converted into tapering linkage on allocation of coal blocks, which were later deallocated, may be assured after taking inputs of CEA and CIL," according to an official.

Tapering Linkage is a short-term linkage provided to those consumers who have been allocated captive coal blocks but the mines could not be developed on time.

During the meeting, CIL had stated that it has already made substantial commitment to the power sector and all its subsidiaries were running negative balance of fuel supplies.

During the meeting chaired by Dubey, the Steel Ministry reiterated its earlier view that coal supplies to all the running plants should not be discontinued. DIPP has also endorsed the views of Steel Ministry, the official said.

The panel has member from various ministries, including power, steel and finance.