Proposal To Pool Coal India Price Under Consideration: Coal Secretary

Coal Secretary SK Srivastava has said that the proposal to pool prices of imported and domestic coal for supply to power plants commissioned after 2009 is under consideration. "We keep on analysing and reviewing the pros and cons of the issue and then we will come to a decision," he said.

According to the proposal, Coal India Limited (CIL) will buy imported coal and supply it to power plants after pooling its price with domestic coal in order to overcome the current shortage of coal.

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had earlier shelved the proposal due to stiff opposition from state electricity boards.

Meanwhile, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which had imposed a fine of Rs 1,773.05 crore on CIL in 2013 for indulging in unfair business practices, has asked it to “cease and desist from unfair business practices.” Referring to complaints regarding anti-competitive practices in an e-auction scheme, CCI said, "Such arrangement in the scheme was noted to be a result of market power exercised by CIL and its subsidiaries."