Coal news and updates

Clubbing ministries to benefit power sector: Transformers’ body

June 6: The NDA government’s move to put the coal and power ministries under a single minister, Piyush Goyal, will benefit the power sector through better co-ordination with the coal sector, Anil Agarwal, President, Indian Transformer Manufacturers’ Association (ITMA) told ICMW.

“We are very happy that both the ministries have been put under the same minister. This will result in better coordination,” Agarwal said.

He also lauded the move to be aggressive about acquiring coal properties abroad. “The government is taking a serious view on bulging coal imports. Coal Videsh has already been looking at development of resources abroad. We are hopeful that the new government will expedite the process. If that happens, the power sector will definitely benefit,” he said.

To a question, he said the government should put in place a strict policy to check the quality of CRGO lamination being imported into the country. A large part of it is being imported through Kolkata Port.

“We have requested the Customs Commissioner of Kolkata Port to ensure that all coils imported through this port should come to the local market with BIS markings,” he said.

Customs has assured that it will study the matter in detail, Agarwal added.