(REOPENS DEL65)

The letter mentioned that pooling of imported coal with domestic coal is already being done by private sector plants. Almost all private sector developers have secured financing for these projects from banks and institutions by presenting the case that these plants would operate on a mix of imported and domestic coal in the domestic coal shortfall scenario and yet be viable, it said. Yadav has mentioned that "any thoughts in the minds of decision makers in the government that without price pooling these plants would render unviable is completely misplaced and needs to be corrected." Coal India independent directors, as per sources, are also opposed to the idea of price pooling mechanism saying it would have financial implications on the PSU. They are of the view that if the private players wanted to import coal, they could do so as it was on open general licence list and there is no restriction in getting coal. Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal had earlier this month said the states will not be impacted by the decision to pool prices of domestic and imported coal to arrive at a uniform price of the feedstock as it would not be implemented for power plants commissioned before March 31, 2009. Many state governments have voiced opposition to the price pooling mechanism. The CIL board had earlier approved the modified FSA without price-pooling, for assured supply of 65 per cent through domestic sources and 15 per cent from imports at cost plus basis.