Coal news and updates

Govt. yet to decide on linkage auction

India Coal Market Watch

December 28: Nearly a year after forming an inter-ministerial committee (IMC) to consider various models for auctioning of coal linkages, the government is yet to take a final view on matter, coal and power minister Piyush Goyal has said.

“A final view in the matter has not been taken by Government,” Goyal said in a written reply in parliament.

An IMC was constituted in the Ministry of Coal on January 12, 2015 to consider various models including auctioning of coal linkages/LoAs through competitive bidding as the selection process and to recommend the optimal structure that would meet the requirements of all the stakeholders.

The terms of reference of IMC were to consider and examine various structures and models for implementing the competitive bidding for auction of coal linkages/LoAs and to recommend the optimal structure that would meet the requirement of all the stakeholders.

It was recommended in the 5th meeting of IMC on June 4, 2015 that auction of linkages for non-regulated sector should be taken up first.

Accordingly, an approach paper was prepared and uploaded on website for public consultation.

The members of public and stakeholders concerned were requested to submit their comments/views on the draft auction methodology for auction of linkages for non-regulated sector.

Comments of public and stakeholders were received. Further, stakeholder industry associations also presented their views and comments before the 6th meeting of IMC on August 21.