With coal imports rising amid the widening gap between the production and consumption of the fuel, a high-level committee set up by the Niti Aayog is likely to suggest that all future auctions of coal blocks must be for commercial mining. The draft report, reviewed by FE, argues against any more captive coal mines and pitches for amendments in several laws to encourage private participation in mining and remove ‘discrimination’ between the private and the public sector.
According to sources, the government think-tank has already made a presentation on its recommendation to coal secretary Sumanta Chaudhuri. The draft is yet to be finalised by Rajiv Kumar, vice chairman, Niti Aayog.
