Latest news with #CoalLogisticPlanandPolicy
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab minister contradicted, Union ministry says no proposal to set up 3 power units
Chandigarh: Contradicting Punjab power minister Harbhajan Singh's claim that it approved three 800-MW power units in Punjab, the Union ministry of power has clarified it had not received any such proposal. The clarification came in response to a query in the Lok Sabha by Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi, who sought details regarding central govt's approval to three new thermal units of 800 MW each — two in Ropar and one at a new location. Responding to Channi's question, the ministry stated: "No such proposal has been received in the ministry of power." The rebuttal follows Harbhajan Singh's announcement on June 7, after the Conference of North Indian Power Ministers in Delhi, chaired by Union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar. The conference was attended by energy representatives from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Delhi. Harbhajan Singh claimed that the Centre approved the setting up of two additional plants, each of 800 MW capacity, at Ropar. Additionally, he claimed, approval was granted to setting up a new 800-MW power plant at another location to meet Punjab's growing electricity demand. Despite repeated attempts, Harbhajan Singh could not be contacted for comment on the Union ministry's disclosure. However, the Union ministry clarified that under Section 7 of the Electricity Act, 2003, setting up power generation units was a de-licensed activity. This means states and private entities do not require prior central govt approval to establish power plants, provided they comply with grid connectivity and technical standards. The ministry stated said ensuring adequate power generation to meet electricity demand within a state fell under the jurisdiction of the respective state govt or its power utility. Addressing a query on coal supply, the ministry highlighted several ongoing national initiatives aimed at reducing bottlenecks in coal logistics. It said coal linkage rationalisation had been implemented to reduce transportation distances between coal mines and power plants. Flexibility has also been provided to state and central generating companies (Gencos) in utilisation of domestic coal by state/central Gencos amongst their generating stations to reduce the cost of power generation by allocating more coal to their most efficient plants as well as by saving in transportation cost. The Coal Logistic Plan and Policy, spearheaded by the Ministry of Coal, focuses on enhancing supply chain efficiency through key railway infrastructure projects that reduce logistics costs and improve the timeliness of coal deliveries across the country.
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Punjab minister contradicted, Union ministry says no proposal to set up 3 power units
Chandigarh: Contradicting Punjab power minister Harbhajan Singh's claim that it approved three 800-MW power units in Punjab, the Union ministry of power has clarified it had not received any such proposal. The clarification came in response to a query in the Lok Sabha by Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi, who sought details regarding central govt's approval to three new thermal units of 800 MW each — two in Ropar and one at a new location. Responding to Channi's question, the ministry stated: "No such proposal has been received in the ministry of power." The rebuttal follows Harbhajan Singh's announcement on June 7, after the Conference of North Indian Power Ministers in Delhi, chaired by Union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar. The conference was attended by energy representatives from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and Delhi. Harbhajan Singh claimed that the Centre approved the setting up of two additional plants, each of 800 MW capacity, at Ropar. Additionally, he claimed, approval was granted to setting up a new 800-MW power plant at another location to meet Punjab's growing electricity demand. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn more about Sterilization Using Autoclave Technology contentcuehub Search Now Undo Despite repeated attempts, Harbhajan Singh could not be contacted for comment on the Union ministry's disclosure. However, the Union ministry clarified that under Section 7 of the Electricity Act, 2003, setting up power generation units was a de-licensed activity. This means states and private entities do not require prior central govt approval to establish power plants, provided they comply with grid connectivity and technical standards. The ministry stated said ensuring adequate power generation to meet electricity demand within a state fell under the jurisdiction of the respective state govt or its power utility. Addressing a query on coal supply, the ministry highlighted several ongoing national initiatives aimed at reducing bottlenecks in coal logistics. It said coal linkage rationalisation had been implemented to reduce transportation distances between coal mines and power plants. Flexibility has also been provided to state and central generating companies (Gencos) in utilisation of domestic coal by state/central Gencos amongst their generating stations to reduce the cost of power generation by allocating more coal to their most efficient plants as well as by saving in transportation cost. The Coal Logistic Plan and Policy, spearheaded by the Ministry of Coal, focuses on enhancing supply chain efficiency through key railway infrastructure projects that reduce logistics costs and improve the timeliness of coal deliveries across the country.
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India saved ₹60,681 crore forex by cutting coal imports in 2024-25: G. Kishan Reddy
India has reduced its annual coal imports by around 20.91 million tonnes, enabling the country to save foreign exchange to the tune of ₹60,681.67 crore during the FY 2024-2025 compared to FY 2023-24, Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy informed Parliament on Monday. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the minister said that the total coal imported into the country during 2024-25 was 243.62 million tonnes (MT), whereas, in 2023-24, it was 264.53 MT. He said that most of the requirement of coal in the country is met through indigenous production. The Ministry of Coal has set an ambitious domestic coal production target of about 1.5 billion tonnes by FY 2029-30. The focus of the Government is on increasing the domestic production of coal and reducing non-essential coal imports. The Ministry of Coal also launched the Coal Logistic Plan and Policy in February 2024 to develop infrastructure for efficient coal evacuation in the country, considering increased coal production projection by FY 2029-30. For reducing dependence on imported coal and promoting domestic production, the Government has facilitated allocation of coal blocks, encouraging private sector participation and streamlining the process for obtaining necessary approvals for coal mining projects. Additionally, the thrust is on increasing coal production by government coal companies by introduction of modern technologies like First Mile connectivity (FMC) and digitalisation, the minister explained. He also said that in order to encourage consumption of domestic coal, an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) was constituted for coal import substitution. IMC, through its various meetings, has identified Import Coal Based (ICB) plants where the supply of domestic coal may be examined. These plants have indicated their specific coal requirements and preferred CIL subsidiaries. Besides, the government has been focusing on improving coal evacuation infrastructure. In line with Government of India directives, Coal companies have undertaken improvement in coal transportation and supply chain efficiency through construction of new Railway lines and First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects in a phased manner. He further stated that under the Government's Revised Shakti Policy, 2025, the Imported Coal Based (ICB) Plants are allowed to secure coal under Window-II of the Policy, which has helped to increase the consumption of domestic coal.
