The Competition Appellate Tribunal has deferred to April 16-17 the hearing on Coal India’s appeal against an order of the Competition Commission of India imposing a penalty of ₹1,773 crore.
The fair trade regulator in December had imposed the penalty on biggest coal producer for abusing its dominant market position. CCI was acting on a complaint by Maharashtra State Power Generation Co Ltd and Gujarat State Electricity Corp Ltd.
It had asked CCI to modify the fuel supply pacts it had signed with power producers within 30 days from the date of receipt of the order. The tribunal’s status quo applied to the modifications in these fuel supply agreements. Subsequently, Coal India had approached Compat which hears and disposes appeals against any direction issued or order passed by the regulator.
On January 13, the tribunal had ordered a status quo in the case till the next hearing. Coal India produces around 81 per cent of India’s total coal output.