Amid shortage, Centre directs states to step up coal imports for 3 years
Power Minister R K Singh has told states to step up coal imports for the next three years, four sources told Reuters, reporting remarks that imply prolonged support for already elevated global prices for the fuel.
The statement by Singh puts a long timeline on a major policy reversal suggested this month, when the Centre asked utilities run by state governments to step up coal imports.
That move was contrary to a long-standing national objective to buy less coal from abroad but was widely seen as a temporary measure to address shortfalls amid rising power demand caused by soaring temperatures and a pickup in industrial activity.
