Coal news and updates

New allocation system brings in transparency: WCL

May 18: Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) had introduced a new system for allocation of coal to its road sales consumers for the month of March, 2015, in a bid to bring in transparency, company sources informed ICMW.

The company said that the earlier practice adopted over the years lacked transparency, as the availability of coal was not known to the consumers nor were the consumers invited to apply for allocations from colliery/collieries of their choice. The allocations were made in consultation with representatives of the units, who had to visit WCL for getting the allocation.

“This resulted in allegations of discretion in allocation, favouritism and corruption,” the company sources said.

The sources further said that as per the new system introduced for the first time during March, 2015, the availability of coal for allocation for the month was displayed for the information of the consumers on the website and they were invited to submit applications from the collieries of their choice from amongst the eligible sources.

The allocations were made through the computer system as per the procedure informed to the consumers through the notice displayed on WCL's website. The details of allocations against the applications were also uploaded on the website. The details so uploaded included the quantities applied for from different sources by each consumer and the quantity allocated and ratio of allocation adopted for each consumer from each source.

“Thus, the allocation procedure adopted was totally transparent and no information whatsoever was hidden from the consumers,” WCL sources said.