New Coal Distribution Policy needs to be discussed: Bagrodia

New Delhi, Jul 9 (UNI) Minister of State for Coal Santosh Bagrodia today said the New Coal Distribution Policy (NCDP) envisages meeting consumers' requirements from different sectors to Fuel Supply Agreements (FSAs), e-auction as well as through State nominated agencies.

Addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee members attached to the Ministry of Coal here, Mr Bagrodia said 'Letter Of Assurance' (LOA) will be issued and subsequently FSAs will be signed subject to meeting the certain milestones.

The Minister added that forward e-auction would be open only to the 'Actual Industrial Consumers'.

He said this will ensure certainty of supply over a long period of time for actual consumers of coal.

These consumers will get coal through agencies to be nominated by the respective state governments which could even be the central agencies like NSIC, NCCF or trade associations. To start with, coal companies have provided a total of eight million tonnes (MT) under this dispensation.

Besides discussing the new policy, the Members also discussed and gave their suggestions on issues of illegal mining, supply of coal to small and medium industries, upliftment of coal by state agencies, land reclamation at the end of mining process and more autonomy to Coal India Ltd.

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