The auction of coal linkages for the power sector is slotted to happen soon Union Minister Piyush Goyal has confirmed that Power Ministry will soon approach the cabinet to seek necessary approvals. In the upcoming month the process of giving out long-term linkages to the non-regulated sector will also be initialised. The power ministry will approach the cabinet either later this month or the next month for the regulated sector, where complete transparency will be provided. The states will have access to the linkages so that they can then offer power purchase agreements coupled with the linkages and get very competitive pricing for the power they procure.
Commenting on the development Union Minister Piyush Goyal said on."We are shortly finalising the Cabinet note (on auction) and we will be going to the Cabinet in the very very near future," the Coal and Power Minister told reporters here. The minister further said that there is no shortage of coal in the country at present. Earlier, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved allocation of coal linkages for non-regulated sector only through auction.CIL had decided to allocate a total quantity of around 23.25 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in the first tranche of coal linkage auction.
