Task Force on reviewing coal sources to submit report this mth

The new Inter-Ministerial Task Force constituted to undertake a comprehensive review of coal sources and consider feasibility for rationalisation of linkages is likely to submit its report by the month-end.

"The Inter-Ministerial Task Force will submit its report by August 31, 2014," an official said.

The recommendations made by the Task Force will be implemented by November-end, he said.

Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal had said in written reply in the Lok Sabha last month that Coal Ministry had constituted Task Force (IMTF) on June 25 to review the existing sources and consider feasibility for rationalisation of linkages from these sources with a view to reducing the transportation cost for power utilities, cement, steel and sponge iron sector.

Coal India, the minister had also said, has received 31 applications for rationalisation including eight from captive power plants, out of which it recommended rationalisation in seven cases.

While emphasising on rationalisation of coal linkages Goyal had earlier said there were instances where a power plant located near sea was getting coal from a Chhattisgarh or Jharkhand mine.

At the same time, another plant in Haryana or an interior area would get imported coal transported via train from the sea port, closer to coastal power plants, he had said.