Covid-19: Odisha seeks concessions in coal prices to ease power sector woes

Wants coal companies to discontinue charging any premium or incentive on bridge, flexi or long-term linkage coal being availed for 2020-21 or at least for the next six months

Taking note of the serious dent in the power sector after the surfacing of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Odisha government has pitched for making available key fuels such as coal, lignite and gas at concessional prices.

The announcement of sops by the Central government will help ease the burden on the distressed power sector and bring consequential succour to the consumers, feels Odisha’s Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy.

“The coal price can be reduced for this period linked to recovery of the operation cost only, deferring all capital expenses such as depreciation, interest payments and return on equity. Similar concession in lignite and