PM sets up fuel infrastructure cell

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has set up a high-powered fuel infrastructure committee to look into future coal and gas demands by petroleum and power plants across the country.

The committee has been formed on the recommendations of the power and energy committee of the Planning Commission.

The infrastructure committee will maintain co-ordination between the coal, railways, shipping and petroleum ministries to look into the aspects of meeting fuel demands.

The committee will comprise members, secretaries and chairmen from the petroleum, power, coal and railways and shipping sectors. The five terms of reference of the infrastructure committee are a) quarterly review of short-term supply of coal and gas to the petroleum and power sectors b) transportation aspects c) bulk handling of fuel needs through private, rail and shipping linkages d) working on long-term plans fuel supply plans e) building infrastructure for petroleum and power plants through ensured coal and gas supplies and any other future fuel issues.

Crippling effect of coal and gas supply shortages in the power and petroleum units might have prompted the government in setting up this specialised high power committee.