No coal e-auction till situation normalises

New Delhi, October 15

Amid the low stock position at the electricity generating plants, state-owned CIL has asked its subsidiaries to refrain from conducting any further e-auction of coal, except special forward e-auction for the power sector, till the situation stabilises. The development assumes significance as the supply of coal is being prioritised to the power sector to replenish the dwindling stock in the wake of reports of an electricity crisis looming large.

“In view of the current low stock position at the powerhouse end, supply of coal is being prioritised to the power sector to replenish the dwindling stock...,” Coal India said in a recent letter to its arms, including Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL), Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL), Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL).

In case, any coal company finds it necessary to liquidate any slow-moving stock through the e-auction route without affecting despatch to the power sector, the same may be communicated to Coal India along with proper justification before any such auction is planned, the letter said.

The company said it is augmenting its production and off-take steadily. — PTI

Fuel supply from captive mines

• The coal ministry said it had taken various steps, including diverting the output from captive coal mines, to augment fuel supply to the power sector.
• The development assumes significance in the wake of country’s power plants grappling with coal shortages.