Assocham calls for zero import duty on coal to tackle power supply issues

Industry body Assocham has made a case for duty-free import of coal, greater availability of railways rake to transport the dry fuel and different rate of diesel for captive generators for dealing with power supply issue amid summer.

“We would urge states and discoms not to differentiate against commercial consumers in power supply. This is critical because growth in industrial production remains muted despite the overall economic recovery,” Assocham Secretary General Deepak Sood said in a statement.

Assocham has suggested key measures, including duty-free imports of coal along with increased availability of railway rakes for movement of coal and differential rate of diesel for captive generator sets for tackling challenges of power supply in several states,