New Delhi: Aluminum Indian Smelter, textile factory, iron sponge and fertilizer makers say they face coal shortages because the electric generator takes up most of the supply.
Top Miner Coal India Ltd., which accounts for more than 80% of Indian fuel production, and coal ministries, denying there are problems.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 7, eight industrial associations including the Indian aluminum association and the Indian Fertilizer Association urged the government to ensure “the renewal allocation of coal allocation between the electricity and industry sectors”.
They did not give the right number about the short disadvantage, but industrial officials said government policy to prioritize coal shipments to electrical generators rather than the non-power sector in response to high prices and imports reduction has caused panic and uncertainty.
Equipment to the non-power sector lower than last year, and the number of trains that supplied coal for him dropped to 12-14 trains per day at the end of January, compared to 36 in August, said the Indian coal consumer association.
The Coal Ministry told Reuters in a statement that it is expected that the availability of trains to the non-regulated sector to be better, adding that every deficiency in the number of trains will be immediately overcome.
Coal imports slump to nine-year low in 2021, mostly due to high global prices, increasing consumer dependence on Indian coal.
Miners increase output to recording levels, but most serve utilities – in line with their inheritance to provide preferred in power plants.
While higher production by Indian coal helped India through the worst power crisis in almost four years, the non-power sector still suffered due to lack of supply of Indian coal, industrial officials said.
“The industry cannot ensure the magnitude of the crisis and plan for the future,” said the association in the letter.