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September 12, 2012

Coal Ministry to submit its report on ongoing coal block allocation issues by September 15…

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The Coal Ministry is on track to meet the deadline of September 15 for deciding on the 29 coal blocks allotted to private firms whose review has been undertaken by an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG).

 

Controller and Auditor General (CAG) has estimated that around Rs. 1.86 Crore undue benefits have been received by the private firms on account of allocation of coal blocks without auction. After that, the Coal Ministry has proposed to submit its report to IMG by September 15.

 

Out of the 58 coal allocations around 29 private firms who failed to develop the blocks as per schedule have given representations to the IMG are meeting again.

The meeting assumes significance as the Finance Ministry has reportedly voiced objections over de-allocations of mines.

Tata Steel, Reliance Power, JSW, Grasim Industries, Kesoram Industries, IST Steel & Power, SKS Ispat and Power, Bihar Sponge Iron, among others, had appeared before the panel.

As per sources, it may also decide the dates for assessing the performance of the blocks allotted to PSUs, without auction.

Around 30 coal blocks, of the 58 that have been issued showcause notices for delaying production, are with public sector firms, including MMTC, Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation and Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation.

 

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Revamped duty structure for imported power equipment…

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Power India found that the Finance Ministry has recently notified a revamped duty structure prescribing an effective duty of over 22 per cent, including education cess.

 

However, as proposed by the MoF, the new duty is not going to be imposed on Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) and Mega Power Projects and expansion of existing mega projects which had received certificate of approval from the Power Ministry till July 19, 2012, the date on which the Cabinet took the decision.

 

With this as many as seven Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) and 106 Mega Power Projects will not have to pay higher duty for importing equipment's.

 

As said by Power Secretary P. Umashankar: “There is a list of projects given mega status or provisionally declared as a mega project. These will not be affected. But any other project beyond this list will have to pay duty as per Government notification.”

 

According to the leading power producers such as NTPC, Tata Power etc, the imposition of customs duty will increase the project cost which in turn will hinder the advancement of the sector.

 

 

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September 4, 2012

Steps being initiated by GoI for the power sector…

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Power India found that, Government of India (GoI) is considering to initiate several attempts in order to bridge the demand and supply gap of power sector.

  • Close monitoring of capacity addition for the under construction projects
  • Thrust on import of coal by utilities
  • Development of ultra mega power projects
  • Strengthening of inter-state and inter-regional transmission capacity to optimally utilise power and reduce the losses in transmission and distribution

 

As per GoI, Coal India is also planning to acquire coal resources abroad.

 

For that purpose, International Coal Ventures Ltd (ICVL), a special purpose vehicle set up by the GoI, would work for acquisition of foreign coal assets/mines/companies to meet the current and growing requirements of the country.

 

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