Orissa High Court asks Centre to set up panel to look into coal shortage

The Orissa High Court on Monday asked the Union government to set up a committee with experts from the ministries of coal, power, mines and the railways to look into the shortage of coal supplies. It also asked the government how the coal requirements of Vedanta, Hindalco and others can be met.

The companies alleged before a Division Bench led by Chief Justice S. Muralidhar that they are on verge of closure if their regular coal requirements are not immediately restored. The judges then asked the government to respond to the petitions filed by Vedanta, Hindalco and others on May 5 — the next date of hearing when the government is likely to give a date to hear the representations of these companies.