Parliament Question: Coal Distribution Policy

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4173 ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026 COAL DISTRIBUTION POLICY †4173. SHRI IMRAN MASOOD: Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has implemented any new distribution policy during the year 2025-26 to ensure the supply of domestic coal to thermal power plants; (b) if so, the manner in which the priority for coal supply to the power plants has been determined under the said policy; (c) whether special provisions have been made in this policy to strengthen the railway and other transport infrastructure; (d) if so, the details of progress thereof; and (e) whether the Government is implementing a digital monitoring system in the coal supply chain and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY) (a) & (b): The Government approved the Revised Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala (Coal) Transparently in India [SHAKTI] Policy for coal allocation to Power Sector on 07.05.2025, which was issued by the Ministry of Coal on 20.05.2025. The Revised SHAKTI Policy, 2025 supersedes the provisions of the SHAKTI Policy, 2017 and its subsequent amendments in 2019 and 2023. The Revised SHAKTI Policy, 2025 ensures coal linkages in a transparent manner to all power producers irrespective of ownership i.e. Central Genco, State Genco and Independent Power Producers (IPPs). (c) & (d): The Revised SHAKTI Policy is for coal allocation to the power sector and has no explicit special provisions have been made under the Revised SHAKTI Policy, 2025 to strengthen the railway and other transport infrastructure. However, under the Revised SHAKTI Policy, 2025 Greenfield Thermal Power Projects established near pitheads are eligible for coal linkages, subject to exemption / relaxation granted by the Empowered Committee on a case- to-case basis. Establishment of pithead power plants, in effect, reduces the requirement of long- distance transportation of coal through railways, thereby easing pressure on the railway network. (e): Ministry of Coal has launched the Koyla Shakti dashboard on 29.10.2025 for digital monitoring of the coal supply chain. The platform enables real-time monitoring of the coal production, dispatch and rake movement, thereby improving coordination among stakeholders and ensuring efficient coal supply management. *****