Panel moots coal linkages for power plants going on stream by March.

The Advisory Group for Integrated Development of Power, Coal and Renewable Energy headed by the current Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu has recommended urgent action on providing coal linkages to power plants likely to be commissioned by March 2015.

The Group, set up by the Government on June 25, has also suggested that opening up of the coal sector may be necessary for enhancing the domestic production.

Other suggestions on coal include setting up of railway infrastructure to evacuate the fuel from the mines apart from swapping and rationalising of coal linkages.

On the power sector, the Advisory Group's recommendations include urgent reforms in the distribution sector, phasing out old thermal power plants which are inefficient and consume more fuel.

The recommendations on separating carriage and content by amending the Electricity Act have already been accepted by the Government with the amendments being tabled in the Lok Sabha last week. The Group also suggested authorising the Central Government for making the Tariff Policy obligatory to Regulatory Commissions.

HBL