The Union Coal Ministry has directed Coal India to sign fuel supply agreements for about 78,000 mw to ensure committed supply of coal to power sector. Coal India has also been directed to sign these fuel pacts within four weeks after the power producers fulfill the requisite conditions. A Presidential directive has been issued by the ministry in this regard, an official statement said on July 27. The ministry is monitoring supply of coal to power sector on daily basis.    

Earlier CIL was directed to sign fuel agreements of 60,678 mw, which was the projected requirement by the power ministry for 131 power plants commissioned or to be commissioned by March 2015. Till Thursday, CIL signed 82 fuel pacts of 34,793 mw capacities. These include 11 with NTPC and 5 with its joint ventures. Six cases of 4480 mw capacity with NTPC and five cases of joint ventures of NTPC are under process of signing.    

Some more FSAs are likely to be signed soon as five power plants of state sector and eleven cases of private sectors have already achieved the requisite milestones for conversion of their letters of assurances to fuel supply agreements.