Prioritisation of coal supplies for the power sector have led to rising input costs for the aluminium, steel and cement sectors and may lead to prolonged shutdowns at some plants, according to experts.
Industry associations have written to the Coal Ministry requesting a resumption of normal supply to non-power sector consumers of coal as inventory at thermal power plants which had fallen to four days of stock in October has improved to 11 days of stock.
Since July, the Centre has directed Coal India Ltd (CIL), India’s largest supplier of coal, to prioritise supply to thermal power plants, sharply reducing the supply of the dry fuel to non-power sector players, according to industry sources.
