Panel on coal linkage auction to meet this week

The inter-ministerial panel constituted for proposed auction of coal linkages through competitive bidding will meet this week.

The government is considering a policy for coal linkage auction and has sought comments from stakeholders on its draft auction methodology.

“The sixth meeting of IMC (inter-ministerial committee) constituted to consider and examine various structures and implementation models for implementing competitive bidding for auction of coal linkages/LoAs and recommending the optimal structure... will be held on August 21, 2015,” a notice said.

The consultation meeting with stakeholders will be held under the Chairmanship of Coal Additional Secretary A.K. Dubey, the notice said.

The government had earlier said it is considering auctioning coal linkages through competitive bidding and has constituted an inter-ministerial panel to look into various models to implement it.

The move is aimed at bringing greater transparency to the allotment of linkages.

The 16-member panel, represented by ministries such as power, railways, steel and law, also has a member from NITI Aayog and Chairman and Managing Directors (CMDs) of Coal India, Singareni Collieries Company and Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDIL), among others.