The central government has directed captive coal mines of power generation companies to hit 85 per cent of their production target within a week or face a cut in coal supplies as part of efforts to ensure adequate power supply by power generators with low coal stocks.
The government has also directed distribution companies to source power from power plants that use imported coal to meet their demand within two weeks or face a cut in the supply of domestic coal to these plants.
A sharp increase in demand has led to four thermal power plants having zero days of coal stock as of September 5, and 12 thermal plants having only enough coal stock for one day according to the Central Electricity Authority.
