Both public and private sector power producers will have similar clauses in the fuel supply agreements (FSAs) with Coal India, said Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal.

He was speaking to mediapersons after a meeting with Minister of State for Power (Independent Charge) Jyotiraditya M. Scindia. “I hope within a month, FSAs would be signed,” Jaiswal said after more than two hours of deliberations with Scindia.

However, it remains to be seen if Coal India would once again approach its Board to change clauses in the FSA. The public sector miner’s Board finalised the FSA on September 26.

Private power producers have already criticised Coal India of drafting ‘one-sided’ FSAs favouring Government companies.

When asked whether the Government will direct Coal India to change the FSA, Scindia replied that “leave the modalities to the company”. The Power Minister said that fuel supply pacts would be signed for 7.25 GW, which are already commissioned, as well as for the 60 GW which would hopefully be commissioned till 2015.

Blocks for NTPC

Scindia said that coal blocks to generate 8,500 MW of electricity would be given to NTPC through auction. At the same time, it is the Government’s endeavour to re-allocate three mines to NTPC after Law Ministry’s nod.

The blocks are Chatti Bariatu, Chatti Bariatu (South) and Kerandari. Chatti Bariatu and Kerandari were allocated in 2006, while, Chatti Bariatu (South) was given to the power producer in 2007.

siddhartha.s@thehindu.co.in

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