Coal news and updates

CMA urges govt to maintain e-auction status quo

August 20: The Cement Manufacturers’ Association (CMA) has requested the government to maintain status-quo on coal distribution through e-auction to facilitate continued supply to non-core customers deprived of a regular supply source.

In a letter to Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth, CMA Secretary General N A Viswanathan said the government’s direction was “not in line with the New Coal Distribution Policy (NCDP) and is likely to have an adverse impact on the non-power consumers.”

He further said the cement industry is heavily dependent on e-auction as coal supply under the fuel supply agreement (FSA) has steeply dropped to 31% of the total fuel receipt.

Noting that the cement sector’s contribution is “equally important” for the economy, he said the government should ensure fair and equitable distribution of coal between the power and non-power sectors.