In Parliament

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

RAJYA SABHA

Q. No. 48. MEASURES TO PREVENT COAL SHORTAGE AND ENERGY CRISIS 07.02.2022

SHRI DEREK O' BRIEN: Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state: (a) the measures taken by Government to prevent a resurgence of the coal shortage and energy crisis seen in November, 2021; (b) the measures taken to diversify the supply chain away from Coal India Limited, which currently supplies nearly eighty per cent of our coal based energy requirements; and (c) the possible effects of Indonesia export ban in January, 2022, on India’s coal supply and measures being taken to offset this? ANSWER

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI) (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the table of the House. Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (c) of Rajya Sabha Starred Question No. 48 for answer on 07.02.22 asked by SHRI DEREK O' BRIEN:

(a): There is no shortage of coal in thermal power plants in the country. Even in 2021, coal stocks came down at thermal power plants due to evacuation issues, but there was adequate coal available in the country. In 2021-22 (upto Janu-

ary 2022) Coal India Limited (CIL) has supplied coal to the tune of 441.35 Million Tonnes (MT) (provisional). The total coal stock at the power plants end has increased from 10.82 MT as on 31.10.2021 to 25.31 MT as on 31.01.2022. The following steps have been taken to improve coal supplies for meeting increased demand in the country: i. In order to address the issues of coal supplies to power sector, an Inter-Ministerial Sub-Group comprising of representatives from Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Railways, CEA, CIL and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) meet regularly to take various operational decisions to enhance supply of coal to thermal power plants as well as for meeting any contingent situations relating to power sector including critical coal stock position in power plants. ii. CIL had offered additional coal of about 5.2 MT (in October'21) and 6.0 MT (in December'21) from its various subsidiaries to States, Central Gencos for lifting through Rail-cumRoad(RCR)/ Road Mode.

(b): 107 coal block have been allocated under the provision of CM(SP) Act and 18 coal block have been allocated under MMDR Act for Power Sector, NRS Sector, Sale of Coal under auction/ allotment mode. The Ministry of Coal has amended Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 with a view to encourage domestic coal production enhancement from captive mines by allowing sale of coal or lignite, on payment of additional amount, by the lessee of a captive mine up to 50 percent of the total coal or lignite produced in a financial year, after meeting the requirement of the end use plant linked with the mine. Earlier this year, the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act had been amended to this effect. This is applicable for both the private and public sector captive mines. With this amendment, the Government has paved the way for releasing of additional coal in the market by greater utilization of mining capacities of captive coal and lignite blocks,which were being only partly utilized owing to limited production of coal for meeting their captive needs. (c): Indonesia has relaxed export ban and few coal vessels have already departed in the last days of January’22. The export ban in major period of January’22, has provided an opportunity to supply more domestic coal. CIL supplied 50.7 MT coal to power sector in January 2022, achieving a growth of 24% in comparison to January 2021 supply of 40.8 MT. Ministry of Power has projected a requirement of 727 MT domestic coal for coal based power generation for the year 2022-23. India's dependence on imports for meeting thermal coal demand has sharply reduced. In FY23, this demand shall be met from CIL, SCCL and coal production from captive coal blocks.

Q. No. 128. OUTSTANDING BALANCE ON STATES FOR SUPPLY OF COAL 14.03.2022 SHRI K.R.N. RAJESHKUMAR:: Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that Government is supplying indigenous coal to the States; (b) if so, the details of outstanding balances to be paid to Government by the States, Statewise; (c) the details of undisputed outstanding and disputed outstanding of the States, State-wise; and (d) if there is disputed outstanding, whether Government has any plan to resolve the issues with the States, especially with the State of Tamil Nadu?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Rajya Sabha Starred Question No. 128 for answer on 14.03.22 asked by SHRI K.R.N. RAJESHKUMAR: (a): Central and State Public Sector Units are supplying domestic coal to different Power gen-

erating companies of the State Governments. (b) & (c): State-wise outstanding (disputed and undisputed) dues to be paid to Coal India Limited (CIL) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) as on 28.02.2022 is annexed at Annexure -I and Annexure -II respectively. (d): Coal Sales Dues are continuously monitored by coal company and regular follow-up is done with consumers for early recovery. For making recovery of outstanding dues easier, CIL has developed an online bill-to-bill reconciliation portal, through which online reconciliation will be carried out and dues will be monitored and realized in a better way. CIL and Coal Companies are also ensuring bilateral meetings to settle commercial disputes and matters where commercial disputes cannot be settled bilaterally are also referred to Administrative Mechanism for Resolution of CPSEs Disputes (AMRCD). Fuel Supply Agreement also provides for levy of interest on delayed payment and coal companies are claiming interest on delayed payment from consumers. The amount due from Central and State Gencos for CIL are also followed up by the Ministry of Coal.

Annexure-I Statewise and Utilitywise outstanding dues as on 28.02.2022 (Provisional) to be paid to CIL (Fig. in Rs. Crore) States GENCOS Undisputed Disputed Total Andhra Pradesh APGENCO 221.59 0.00 221.59

Bihar BSPCL 0.64 26.00 26.64

Chattisgarh CSPGCL 183.36 20.24 Delhi DVB 0.00 3.46 203.60

3.46

Gujrat Haryana GUVNL 153.70 3.95

HPGCL 2.97 79.68

JSEB 21.58 0.00

Jharkhand TVNL

Total

Karnataka KPCL 980.29 0.00

1,001.87 0.00 121.33 0.00

Madhya Pradesh MPEB 1,379.14 40.88 Maharastra MSEB 2,310.86 16.62 Orrisa OPGC 17.13 0.00

Punjab PSEB 78.63 26.15

Rajasthan RRVUNL 482.60 6.34 Tamil Nadu TNEB 842.93 118.98 157.65

82.65

21.58

980.29

1,001.87

121.33

1,420.02 2,327.48 17.13

104.78

488.94

961.91

UP UPRVUNL 1,138.80 49.69 DPL 455.91 3.76 1,188.49 459.67

DPS 0.00 1.08

West Bengal WBPDCL 1,221.83 86.61 WBSEB 0.00 1.29

Total 1,677.74 92.74

1.08

1,308.44 1.29

1,770.48

Annexure-II Statewise and Utilitywise outstanding dues as on 28.02.2022 (Provisional) to be paid to SCCL (Fig. in Rs. Crore)

States GENCOS Undisputed Disputed Total Telangana TSGENCO 4098 331 4429 Andhra Pradesh APGENCO 230 0.00 230 APPDCL 31 0.00 31 Karnataka KPCL 565 9 574 Maharashtra MSEB 24 0.00 24 Tamil Nadu TANGEDCO 16 0.00 16

Q. No. 513. TIMELINE FOR COAL PHASEDOWN

07.02.2022

SHRI TIRUCHI SIVA:: Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) whether Governmenthas decided on any timeline yet for the coal phasedown as agreed in the recent Glasgow Climate Pact at the COP26; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) the number of current loss-making coal mines in the country, district-wise?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a)&(b):Coal is the most important and abundant fossil fuel in India and accounts for 55% of the country's energy need. Commercial primary energy consumption in India has grown by about 700% in the last four decades. The current per capita commercial primary energy consumption in India is about 350 kgoe/year. Coal is not only the primary source of energy in the country but is also used as an intermediary by many industries such as steel, sponge iron, cement, paper, brick-kilns etc. Similarly, with increase in growth of industries using coal, their demand for coal has also been increasing; hence, there has been an overall increase in the demand of coal over the years. Being an affordable source of energy with substantial reserve, coal is going to stay as major source of energy in the foreseeable future. Despite push for renewables, country will require base load capacity of coal-based generation for stability and also for energy security. Overarching decisions titled ‘Glasgow Climate Pact’ reflect the following agreement between parties with regard to coal and fossil fuel subsidies: ‘Calls upon Parties to accelerate the development, deployment and dissemination of technologies, and the adoption of policies, to transition towards low emission energy systems, including by rapidly scaling up the deployment of clean power generation and energy efficiency measures, including accelerating efforts towards the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase-out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, while providing targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable in line with National circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition’. It is evident that above paragraph is not mandating the phase down of coal power, and it is not setting any timelines for the phase down. Further, the paragraph is only ‘calling upon’ Parties to accelerate efforts towards the phase down of unabated coal power in line with national circumstances and recognizing the need for support towards a just transition. Paris Agreement is a multilateral treaty for combating climate change. Accordingly, while India has committed to clean energy; the pace of transition to cleaner energy sources in India is to be viewed in the light of national circumstances, and principle of com-

mon but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, the transfer of climate finance and low cost climate technologies.

(c): In Coal India Limited (CIL), 231 mines were loss making mines in FY 2020-21. However, the profits from profit making mines are more than the losses of loss making mines. During 202021, 34 mines were also loss making in Singareni Collieries Co. Ltd. (SCCL). The details of loss making mines of CIL and SCCL are given below:

Subsidiary Company ECL, Sanctoria, West Bengal BCCL, Dhanbad, Jharkhand CCL, Ranchi, Jharkhand WCL, Nagpur, Maharashtra SECL, Bilaspur, Chattisgarh MCL, Sambalpur, Odhisa NEC, Margherita, Assam

Total CIL

SCCL, Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Telangana SCCL, Peddapalli, Telangana SCCL, Jayashankar-Bhupalpalli, Telangana SCCL, Komarambheem-Asifabad, Telangana SCCL, Mancherail, Telangana

Total SCCL

No. of Loss Making Mine 60

23

37

43

58

7

3

231

2

9

5

1

17

34

Q. No. 514. COAL RESERVES IN INDIA 07.02.2022

SHRI NARESH BANSAL: Will the MINISTER OF COAL be pleased to state: a. the present reserves of coal available in India; b. the amount of tonnes of coal produced by Coal India Limited during each of the last three financial years; c. the amount of tonnes of coal imported by India during the last three financial years; and d. the details of specific measures taken by Coal India Limited to increase the production of coal? ANSWER

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) As per the Inventory for Coal and Lignite as on 01.04.2021, the total assessed geological coal resource is 352125970000 tonnes. (b) Raw coal production of Coal India Limited during each of the last three financial years is given below:

(Quantity in Tonnes)

Year Production 2018-19 606,887,577 2019-20 602,136,509 2020-21 596,219,080

(c) Details of coal imported by India during the last three financial years are as under:(Quantity in Tonnes)

Year 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21

Coal Import 235,348,010 248,536,480 214,994,910

(d) Details of specific measures taken by Coal India Limited to increase the production of coal are as under:*Capacity addition through approval of new & expansion PR: CIL shall be adding capacity of about 289 Mty through approval of new & expansion PRs (Future Projects). * Capacity addition through special dispensation in EC under clause 7(ii) of EIA 2006: this is an ongoing process and CIL is enhancing its capacity through efficiency enhancement under the special dispensation of EIA Act. * Capacity addition in smaller subsidiaries: Smaller subsidiaries like ECL & BCCL are enhancing its capacity through marginal schemes and OC patches. *Capacity augmentation through deployment of MDO: CIL has already initiated process for operating 15 nos. of mines through MDO having an ultimate capacity of about 170 Mty *Use of Mass Production Technology (MPT) in UG mines wherever feasible: CIL intends to implement the application of more and more MPT in UG mines wherever feasible. * Improving evacuation efficiency & capacity: Through FMC 1 & 2, CIL is in the process of eliminating inefficient and polluting road transport in favour of 44 CHPs, Silos through rail transport. * Procurement of HEMM- Order value worth Rs. 8300 Crs have been placed for procurement of HEMM in CIL in 2019-20 & 2020-21. Equipment supply has been started during 2020-21 and will be followed during the subsequent years for enhancement of production capacity. * Enhancement in evacuation facility from the mines to destination-Evacuation facilities like doubling of Tori-Shivpur Rail line, construction of connecting coal transport roads and sidings in CCL & MCL, construction of CHP-Silos in MCL & SECL are under implementation to facilitate enhancement of capacity utilisation of the mines. * Out sourcing mining contracts- All outsourcing mining contracts for subsequent year are identified well in advance and firm actions being initiated well in advance.

Q. No. 1310. REDUCTION IN IMPORT OF COKING AND NON-COKING COAL

14.03.2022

SHRI SAMBHAJI CHHATRAPATI: Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) whether the country imports about half of its requirement every year spending substantial foreign exchange despite huge coal reserves within the country; (b) if so, the details of indigenous production, imports and requirement of coking and noncoking coal including the reasons for resorting to imports; (c) the emphatic steps taken by Government for developing adequate technology for indigenous production of coking coal to curb import; and (d) whether the country has entered into tie-ups with the countries which possess advanced technology for the production of coking coal and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a)&(b): Demand of coal is higher than the current level of domestic supply of coal in the country. The gap between demand and domestic supply of coal cannot be bridged completely as there is insufficient availability and reserve of prime coking coal in the country. Further, coal imported by power plants designed on imported coal and high grade coal required for blend-

ing purposes is also imported in the country as this cannot be fully substituted by domestic coal as the country has limited reserve of high grade coal. As per the current import policy, coal is kept under Open General License (OGL) and consumers are free to import coal from the source of their choice as per their contractual prices on payment of applicable duty. Government of India does not interfere in this matter. The total actual demand of coal during 202021 was 906.13 Million Tones (MT). Out of which total coal import was 215.25 MT which was 23.75% of the total requirement. The details of indigenous production, import and requirement of coking and non-coking coal (actual demand) during the year 2020-21 is as under:-

Sl. No. Item 2020-21 (Fig. in MT) Coking Coal Non-Coking Coal Total 1. Domestic Production 44.79 671.30 716.09

2. Domestic Supply 3. Import 4. Actual Requirement (2+3) 44.00

51.20

95.20 646.88 690.88

164.05 215.25

810.93 906.13

(c): Coking coal mission has been launched for increase in the coking coal production from present 45 MT to 140 MT by 2029-30. This will help in reducing the import of coking coal as it can be blended with high grade imported prime coking coal for steel manufacturing. (d): Latest technology e.g. Continuous Miner for underground mines, surface miner for opencast mines, latest HEMMs etc. are already in vogue for production of coal in the country.

Q. No. 1313. REDUCTION IN IMPORT OF COKING AND NON-COKING COAL

14.03.2022

DR. C.M. RAMESH: Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state: (a) whether some industry associations representing fertilizer, paper, textile and other sector have made a joint representation regarding severe coal shortage faced by them, if so, the details thereof; and (b) whether due to persistent coal crisis, overall industry specially power intensive Plants and SMEs have been forced to operate at reduced capacities with looming risk of plant closures, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by Government in this regard? ANSWER

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

Reply (a) & (b): Some representations have been received from different industry associations regarding supply of coal like UP Paper Mill Power Plant Owner Association, Coal Consumers’ Association of India, Federation of Indian Mineral Industries, All India Association of Industries, Cement Manufacturers Association, Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Commerce Association etc. In order to meet the requirement of non- power sector, Coal India Limited (CIL) has recently conducted NonRegulated Sector (NRS) Linkage auction for long term supply of coal to the consumers of various non-regulated sectors. Besides above, e-auction of coal is being conducted regularly by coal companies to mitigate the demand of different industries. As on Feb’22, 160.5 Million Tonne (MT) has been offered this fiscal out of which 100.1 MT coal has been booked through the e-auction window.

CIL and SCCL have supplied 123.06 MT of coal in FY 2020-21 (upto Feb’21) and 122.72 MT coal in FY 2021-22 (upto Feb’22) for non-reg-

ulated sectors. The coal imports by non power sector have been 100.410 MT in 2020-21 (upto January 2021) and 103.007 MT in 2021-22 (upto January 2022).

The Government has introduced following measures/reforms to increase availability of domestic coal:

(i) Commercial Auction of coal on revenue share mechanism: Auction of commercial mining on Revenue Sharing Mechanism was launched on 18.06.2020 by Hon’ble Prime Minister. Under this scheme, total of 2 tranches have been successfully completed and third Tranche is currently under process. From these two tranches total of 28 coal mines have been successfully auctioned for which Vesting order have in signed for 27 coal mines.

(ii) Allowed sale of excess coal production: The Ministry of Coal has amended Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 with a view to allowing sale of coal or lignite, on payment of additional amount, by the lessee of a captive mine up to 50 percent of the total coal or lignite produced in a financial year, after meeting the requirement of the end use plant linked with the mine. Earlier this year, the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act had been amended to this effect. This is applicable for both the private and public sector captive mines. With this amendment, the Government has paved the way for releasing of additional coal in the market by greater utilization of mining capacities of captive coal and lignite blocks,which were being only partly utilized owing to limited production of coal for meeting their captive needs.

(iii) Rolling auction: In order to expedite the process for conducting auction and to carryout more rounds of auction in a year, a mechanism of rolling auctions of coal mines has been planned. Under this mechanism, upon completion of the electronic auction process of a tranche, the next tranche of auction would be launched for following mines: a. Mines where no bid or only single bid was received in the previous tranche of auction (except for those mines where Ministry of Coal decides to go for second attempt of auction) b .New mines, if any, identified by Ministry of Coal In the current III tranche of commercial auction, total of 48 coal mines have been rolled over from the II tranche of mines.

(iv) Single Window Clearance: The Union government has already launched Single Window Clearance portal on 11.01.2021 for the coal sector to speed up the operationalisation of coal mines. It is an unified platform that facilitates grant of clearances and approvals required for starting a coal mine in India. Now, the complete process shall be facilitated through Single Window Clearance Portal, which will map not only the relevant application formats, but also process flow for grant of approval or clearances.

(v) Coal India Ltd. has envisaged a coal production programme of one Billion Tonne from CIL mines. CIL has taken the following steps to achieve the target of augmentation of coal production capacity:

1. 15 Projects identified with a Capacity of about 160 MTPA (Million Tonnes per Annum) to be operated by Mine Developer cum Operator mode. 2. Capacity addition through special dispensation in Environment Clearance under clause 7(ii) of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 2006 3. CIL has taken steps to upgrade the mechanized coal transportation and loading system under 'First Mile Connectivity' projects.

Q. No. 1320. IMPLEMENTATION OF REVISED SHAKTI

DR. AMEE YAJNIK:

DR. AMEE YAJNIK: Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state: (a) the details of the revised Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India (SHAKTI) and the current Status of its implementation; (b) the details of States, currently eligible under the SHAKTI, policy for better allocation of coal to present and future power plants in the country;

(c) whether SHAKTI has been able to address the coal linkage problems of the stressed power plants; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a): The Government approved the fading away of the existing Letter of Assurance (LoA) - Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) regime and introduced Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India (SHAKTI), 2017, which was issued by the Ministry of Coal on 22.05.2017. The Government also approved amendments to the SHAKTI Policy, 2017, which was issued by the Ministry of Coal on 25.03.2019. The main features of the SHAKTI Policy (as detailed under its various Paras) are as under:

Para A: FSA may be signed with pending LoA holders after ensuring that the plants are commissioned, respective milestones met, all specified conditions of the LoA fulfilled within specified time frame and where nothing adverse is detected against the LoA holder. Further, it has allowed continuation of the existing coal supply to the capacities of about 68,000 MW at the rate of 75% of Annual Contracted Quantity (ACQ), which may further be increased in future, based on coal availability. The policy has enabled coal supplies at 75% of ACQ against FSA to about 19,000 MW capacities, which have been delayed in commissioning, provided these plants are commissioned within 31.03.2022. The medium term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to be concluded in future against bids invited by DISCOMS have also been made eligible for linkage coal supply.

Para B (i): The Coal India Limited (CIL)/ the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) may grant coal linkages to State/Central Gencos/ Joint Ventures at notified price on the recommendations of the Ministry of Power. Para B (ii): Linkages to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), having Long Term PPAs based on domestic coal, where IPPs, participating in auction, will bid for discount on the tariff (in paise/unit). The bidders, who could not participate in the linkage auction under B (ii) due to any reason, may be allowed to participate in the B (ii) auctions of this policy. Further, the bidders, who could not secure linkage for full ACQ, may obtain linkage for the balance quantity by participating in future auctions at a later stage under B (ii) after benchmarking discount.

Para B (iii): Linkages to IPPs/ Power Producers without PPAs shall be on auction basis.

Para B (iv): Coal linkages may also be earmarked for fresh PPAs, by pre-declaring the availability of coal linkage with description, to the States. The States may indicate these linkages to DISCOMS/State Designated Agencies (SDAs).

Para B (v): Power requirement of group of States can also be aggregated and procurement of such aggregated power can be made by an agency, designated by the Ministry of Power or authorized by such States on the basis of tariff based bidding.

Para B (vi): Linkages shall be granted for full normative quantity to Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) incorporated by nominated agency for setting up Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) under Central Government initiative through tariff based competitive bidding under the guidelines for determination of tariff, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Power.

Para B (vii): The Ministry of Coal, in consultation with the Ministry of Power, may formulate a detailed methodology of a transparent bidding process for allocating coal linkages to IPPs, having PPAs, based on imported coal with full

pass through of cost savings to the consumers. ] Para B (viii): (a) Power plants with no PPAs are allowed coal linkage under B (iii) & B (iv) for a period of minimum 3 months upto a maximum of 1 year for sale of power generated through the linkage in Day Ahead Market (DAM) through power exchanges or in short term through Discovery of Efficient Energy Price (DEEP) portal.

(b) Use of the existing coal linkage for sale of power through short term PPAs using DEEP portal or power exchange by the generator, which terminates PPA in case of default in payment by the DISCOM, for a maximum period of 2 years or until they find another buyer of power under long /medium term PPA, whichever is earlier.

(c) Coal linkage under B (v) is also applicable in cases, where the nodal agency designated by the Ministry of Power aggregates/procures the power requirement for a group of States even without requisition from such States.

(d) Central and State generating companies can act as an aggregator of power of stressed power assets.

(e) Mechanism to ensure servicing of debt. As of now, coal linkages to the following capacities have been granted under various Paras of the policy:

(i) Clearance has been given for signing of Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) to 9 LoA holders with a total capacity of 7,460 MW under provisions of para A(i) of SHAKTI policy.

(ii) 24 Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) have been granted linkage for a total capacity of 26000 MW under provisions of para B (i) of SHAKTI policy.

(iii) First round of linkage auction under B(ii) of SHAKTI policy was conducted in September, 2017, whereby 27.18 Million Tonne Per Annum (MTPA) of annual coal linkage was booked by ten successful bidders for about 9,045 MW capacity. In the second round conducted in May, 2019, quantity of 2.97 MTPA of linkage has been booked by eight bidders for about 874.9 MW capacity. In the third round, auction has been conducted by PFC Consulting Limited (PFCCL) during May, 2020, where, 2.8 MTPA linkages have been booked by 5 successful bidders. Fourth round of linkage auction has been conducted by PFCCL in September, 2021, where, 3.20 MTPA linkages have been booked by 5 successful bidders.

(iv) The linkage auction for SHAKTI B (iii) was conducted in February, 2020, where out of the total offer of 11.8 MTPA, 6.48 MTPA was booked by 7 successful bidders.

(v) Coal linkage have been earmarked from CIL for the States of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh for a capacity of 4000 MW, 1600 MW and 2640 MW respectively for linkage under B(iv) of SHAKTI Policy.

(vi) Coal linkage earmarked from CIL for a capacity of 2500 MW for linkage under B(v) of SHAKTI Policy.

(vii) 8 tranches of Linkage Auction have been conducted by Coal India Limited under B(viii)(a) of SHAKTI Policy. Out of total offered quantity of 42.13 MT of Coal, 8.1 MT have been booked by successful bidders.

(b): All the Generating companies of States and Union Territories are eligible for coal linkage under SHAKTI Policy, subject to terms and conditions mentioned in the Policy.

(c) to (e) : SHAKTI Policy is a transparent way of allocating coal to the Power Plants including stressed power plants.