The editorial “Forward and back” (October 22) rightly points to the need to have effective reforms in the coal sector, while appreciating the steps taken for reforms for liquefied petroleum gas. The Indian power sector is facing a herculean task in meeting its coal requirements. In fact, many thermal power plants are surviving on a hand-to-mouth basis. The need of the hour is to end the absolute monopoly of Coal India and introduce e-auctioning, coupled with commercial mining. There is also a need for an effective and independent regulator, instead of Coal India, that can make effective decisions and stay away from political influence. The government’s claim of its commitment towards economic federalism and sharing national resources with states in a more equitable way can only gain credibility when it transfers the proceeds from auctions to the states.
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D Sureshbabu, Hyderabad
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201 · E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number