The Ministry of Coal has given its approval to grant a short-term coal linkage to central and state public sector units which have been allotted Schedule III coal mines. The bridge linkage will be given to both power and non-power sector public sector units. The bridge linkage will fill the gap of coal requirement of the specified end use plant till the allotted coal mine starts production. Under the Coal Mines Act, Schedule III coal mines are those which require some work or clearances before they start to produce. About 21 Schedule III coal mines were allotted to 18 central and state public sector units.
With approval of the Competent Authority, the bridge linkage will be granted for a fixed period of three years from the date of allotment of the coal mine and no further extension thereafter will be entertained under normal circumstances. The shorter duration shall act as an incentive for allottees to expedite production from the coal mines.
Further, specified end use plants which have been allotted coal mines/ blocks under 'Allotment' route to Central and State PSUs only shall be eligible for grant of 'Bridge Linkage'. No 'Bridge Linkage' shall be provided to specified end use plants of private sector which have won coal mines/ blocks after bidding under auction route since it would amount to change in bid conditions of coal mines/ blocks and there was no such condition to provide tapering linkages in bidding documents of coal mines/ blocks auctioned.
Every plant, which wants a bridge linkage, will need to apply to the Ministry of Coal. The request will be considered by the Standing Linkage Committee (Long Term) and thereafter Coal India or Singareni Collieries Company shall decide the grate of coal and source of coal.
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