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MINUTES OF COAL CONSUMERS’ MEET HELD BY SECL ON 13th FEBRUARY’2019 AT HOTEL COURTYARD MARRIOTT, BILASPUR (CG).

The meeting was organized for discussions on the supplies of coal from South

Eastern Coalfields Limited to various power and non-power sector plants. Shri

D. K. Singh, HOD(M&S), welcomed Chairman-cum Managing Director, Director

(Technical)-Operations, Director (Technical)-P&P, General Manager (Finance),

General Manager (QC), Senior Divisional Operations Manager, SECR and the

representatives of the coal consuming plants present in the meeting.

CMD, SECL welcomed all the participants and expressed his sincere gratitude

for their presence and requested them to put forward the issues, if any, related

to the supplies of coal or any other issues related to SECL and give their valuable

suggestions in the areas of improvement.

CMD, SECL apprised the house that in the current year SECL has so far

produced 130.27 million tonnes of coal and despatched 133.74 million tonnes of

coal. In the current FY till January’2019 SECL supplied about 11 MT more coal

to power sector over the same period last year and has been successful to a great

extent in reducing the gap between the demand and supply of all sectors of

industries.

DT(O) apprised that SECL is committed to supply the coal requirement of all the

regulated sector and non-regulated sector plants. In order to maximize the

supplies, SECL has been increasing its coal production at a steady pace and has

reached to the level of 5.0 lakh tonnes per day. Further the production is planned

to be increased steeply in order to meet the increasing demand of coal in the

country. The primary concern of SECL was to increase the coal stock at many

power plants which were having critical / super critical coal stocks. With the

constant effort of SECL most of the plants have come out of criticality and SECL

is endeavoring to enhance the supplies to the non-power sector consumers which

have been affected due to the prioritization of supplies to the power plants. The

liquidation of 3000+ arrear rakes pending for supplies by rail mode for the non-

power sector consumers are presently being considered on top priority by SECL.

Due to the major track renovation works carried on by Railway at various

sections, the despatch through rail mode has been affected which shall be

increased on the normalization of the railway movement.

The participants were requested to interact and share their suggestions on all

issues including the stipulations of MOEF for environment friendly

transportation of coal to their plants.

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DT(P&P), SECL welcomed the participants and expressed that SECL has given

the topmost priority for the satisfaction of the consumers and requested the

participants to deliberate the issues & whatsoever feasible shall be resolved in

the meeting.

CMD, SECL requested to proceed the meeting, stressing upon the compliance of

the notifications issued by MoEF on the transportation of coal.

Ultratech Cement Ltd. informed that in the recently circulated letters of

Railways, the loaded wagons are required to be covered with tarpaulins. Some of

the major issues foreseen for implementation of this proposal are: -

a. Safety of the manpower engaged for covering the wagons by tarpaulins

while the loading is in process as the working height is about 1.6 meters

and may have interference with the high-tension lines.

b. The covering time will add to the loading time for which relaxation is yet

to be given by Railways.

c. In the absence of suitable fastening hooks on the body of the wagon, there

are likely chance of loose tarpaulins entangling into the OHEs creating

serious damages to the fittings and occurrence of hazards.

d. Whether SECL and SECR are able to provide exclusive space or facility for

the consignee plants for covering the wagons is not known.

CMD, SECL desired to know all the consumers’ point of view on the issue and

their suggestions and share their experiences of implementing such mechanism,

so that the same can be deliberated with Railways for arriving at a holistic

solution.

RKM Powergen informed that the practice of covering of wagons by tarpaulins is

presently being done for rakes from port areas for all import consignments which

is being done by private agencies. Since the covering operations will be performed

at loading end hence an arrangement for handling the inventory of covering

material may be provided at colliery/siding by SECL. It was also suggested that

a third-party agency may be nominated in line with the present third-party

sampling practice followed for Quality Assurance purpose, so that the customer

may contact the agency and this facility can be shared across the sector of

consumers. This will provide limited point of contact and have better

administrative control.

The plant also shared their information about chemical spraying, over the

surface of coal loaded in wagons practiced in Australia, which forms a crust on

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the top layer thereby eliminating the chance of dust pollution. The chemical

spraying is done only on the top surface and does not affect the quality of the

coal. This practice was being followed for coal stock in storage yard also.

Further the consumer also raised the issue of overloading of wagons. As the

covering of wagons has to be done after weighment, and in case of overloading

the same needs to be uncovered for load adjustment thereby resulting in

additional charges to the consumer and if covering is done after correct

weighment, again Railway has to give additional 1 or 2 hours for repeating the

process.

CMD, SECL shared that this covering issue was also discussed in the last

meeting held at Raipur called by the Environment Board and there was

suggestion that mechanized covered trucks can be used for transportation of

coal. Such vehicles should be designed by the automobile industry and Railways

should also explore this facility of mechanized covering rather depending upon

Tarpaulin alone as it may help to avoid mal-practices like loss/theft of coal

during transportation. At present Railways won’t allow stoppage of rakes post

weighment for covering of wagons.

DCM Shriram Ltd. informed that they are already covering wagons by tarpaulin

for rake movement from CIC field. They suggested that Railways should also be

involved in the process to arrive at an agreeable mechanism to meet MoEF

stipulations. The plant also informed that, if required, details can be provided to

SECL for implementing the same on trial basis on any siding.

KSK Mahanadi informed that there is no provision in BOBR wagons to cover with

Tarpaulin as there are no hooks to tie it with ropes whereas in BOXN wagons,

hooks are provided.

SKS Power & Ispat Ltd. appreciated the functioning at various levels of the

M&S department, particularly related to the redressal of grievances.

CMD, SECL requested the plants to explore the ways to reduce the

environmental pollution while transporting coal from sources of SECL to the

consumers’ end, specifically through the rail mode. For road mode, covering of

trucks is already in practice and is not an issue. Covering of wagons is really an

issue and no such clear solution has come up so far.

MAHAGENCO expressed his readiness to take coal through rail mode and

wagons covered by Tarpaulin, however the used tarpaulins piled up at the

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unloading end creates separate pollution and disposal issues. Hence, the plant

proposed that a common agency be deputed at both loading and unloading ends

to ensure repeated use tarpaulins.

CMD, SECL agreed that this issue is for both ends i.e. loading as well as

unloading, with respect to preserving/disposal of the Tarpaulins.

KSK Mahanadi suggested that SECL may install weightometers in all the

payloaders deployed in the sidings so that correct weight can be ascertained.

This may solve the problem of overloading upto some extent.

Sr. DOM, SECR expressed his view that a siding may be chosen as a pilot project

for conducting trials. For this purpose, the sidings loading about a rake per day

may be chosen. SECL and the house agreed to the proposal.

CMD, SECL concluded that a pilot siding can be chosen for implementing this

proposal of railway on trial basis preferably in the CHP sidings where the loaded

rakes are being pulled by haulage system such as Churcha, Bijuri, etc. where

there is no interference of the OHE. DT(O) shall examine this issue and earmark a

siding for trial purpose.

Hindustan Zinc Ltd. raised the following issues: -

1. Consumers having old FSA (i.e. pre-Linkage Auction) and have completed

their term are now participating in Linkage Auction and subsequently

executing FSAs. In Linkage Auction FSAs, there is a facility to convert

rakes older than one month to road mode. However, there are rakes

pending against old FSA since May'2017 and yet to be materialized

resulting in blockage of their funds.

2. The consumer also raised the issue of delayed issuance of Delivery Orders

due to various issues pertaining to production, transportation and change

of grade of mines where the supplies to the consumers through linkage

auction having specific grade and quantity, are linked.

3. The consumer submitted that at the time of signing of FSA, they deposit

the BG at Kolkata office and they are not getting the confirmation in time.

SECL, Kolkata office is asking them to get it confirmed from their

concerned bank.

GM(Finance) advised that the consumers have to deposit the BG in SFMS mode

and don't have to do anything for confirmation.

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CMD, SECL said that the issue of BG confirmation is very prominent, and he

further advised that concerned GM has to monitor it to ensure hassle free BG

submission and confirmation for consumers.

DT(O) informed that the plants having old FSAs are already being given option

for change of mode of lifting during the month of booking itself, which has been

exercised by several consumers over the time. The issue regarding conversion of

mode of the allotted rail programmes have been refereed to CIL for consideration

and issuance of a specific policy guideline. The delay in issuance of Delivery

Orders normally occurs due to unforeseen delay in mining-related clearances.

The delay occurring in such cases are more or less mitigated by issuance of coal

from secondary sources.

Hindustan Zinc Ltd. informed that as per FSA provisions, they have to deposit

coal value for only one month’s MSQ as advance, but they have deposited coal

value for about 4 month’s MSQ. The pendency of rakes for supply is as old as

2017. Therefore, SECL should refund the 3 months advance paid by them as

their credit from the Bank is exceeding their allowed limit.

Further the representative liked to know that even though the production has

enhanced by 2.7% but the supplies against the new FSAs are not being

materialized. The requirement of already signed FSAs should be met first

demand before signing new FSAs or offering coal in new Tranches of Linkage e-

Auction. These issues have been highlighted previously in several forums.

SECL informed that the policy of providing option to the consumers for order

booking without advance coal value incase of pendency for supplies exceeding

one month’s MSQ were duly notified by SECL. HZL should have exercised this

option and refrained from paying the advance as and when the pendency

exceeded one month’s MSQ.

Further SECL also informed that in such cases where advance coal value is

deposited for MSQ beyond one month, the same is being adjusted against the

coal bills on the request of such consumers. HZL can also make an application

for the same and get the excess value adjusted against the supplies. SECL

further informed that with the current availability of coal the pending order

bookings will be liquidated based on age-wise pendency by improving the

supplies to the non-power sector by rail mode as well as by giving the option to

convert the mode of supplies by road, wherever feasible.

Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizer requested that all Areas should issue Coal

Bills online for generation of e-way bills.

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GM(Finance), SECL informed that this process is already in vogue and any buyer

can contact SECL in case of any issues at any of the Areas.

CSPGCL and Lanco Amakartank requested SECL to provide opencast pits for

dumping fly ash generated from their power plants.

SECL apprised that this is under consideration keeping in view various technical

issues like slope stability, permission from the statutory authorities, etc. The fly

ash dumping can be allowed only after the issues are resolved and statutory

permissions are obtained.

DB Power Ltd. informed that Delivery Orders are not being issued from

January’2019. Grade slippage payment and unutilized fund of Rs.63 crores as

February should be used in advance.

GM(M&S) & GM(QC) informed that the issue will be examined.

Shri Bajrang Power & Ispat Ltd. submitted their grievance that they have not

received any credits on grade slippage which occurred at J&K, Gevra and Korba

Areas.

GM(QC) informed that the issue will be examined.

KSK Mahanadi suggested that CCTV should be installed in the sample

preparation and analysis room. Further they have not received credits for grade

slippage since 2017 from CIC field and refund of idle freight for consignments

loaded from Churcha siding.

GM(QC) informed that the CCTVs have been installed in most of the Areas and

will be installed shortly at the remaining Areas.

The meeting concluded with vote of thanks to the chair.

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Participants: -

South Eastern Coalfields Limited: -

Name Designation

1 Shri A. P. Panda Chairman cum Managing Director

2 Shri Kuldip Prasad Director (Technical)-Operations

3 Shri R. K. Nigam Director (Technical)-P&P

4 Shri B K Jha General Manager (Finance)

5 Shri D. K. Singh HOD (Marketing & Sales)

6 Shri S. K. Ranu GM (Quality Control)

7 Shri S. S. Dubey GM(Excavation)

8 Shri Gyan Singh Chief Manager(E&M)

9 Shri S. K. Marwah Chief Manager(M&S)-Rail Operations

10 Shri R. K. Majhee Chief Manager(M&S)-Commercial

11 Shri Deepakumar K Sr. Manager(M&S)-Coordination

12 Shri Srinidhi Mishra Dy. Manager(M&S)-FSA

13 Shri Aman Chhabra Dy. Manager(M&S)-Rail Operations

14 Shri Pratik Bharti Dy. Manager(M&S)-Coordination

15 Shri Parth Dewangan Asst. Manager (Fin.) Sales Accounts

16 Shri Rakesh Nema Asst. Manager(M&S)-FSA

17 Shri Umesh Sharma Area Sales Manager, Gevra Area

18 Shri Ajit Choudhary Area Sales Manager, Dipka Area

19 Shri Rakesh Tamrakar Sr Manager, Korba Area

20 Shri Partho Roy Area Sales Manager, Baikuntpur Area

21 Shri M. Iqbal Nadeem MT(M&S), Korba Area

22 Shri Niranjan Pothal Sr Manager, Kusmunda Area

23 Shri Atharv Tilak Asst Manager(M&S), Kusmunda Area

24 Shri J. Dutta Sr Manager(QC), SECL HQ

25 Shri Kushal Singh Area Sales Manager, Johila Area

26 Shri R. K. Jandani Area Sales Manager, J&K Area

27 Shri Prasenjeet Banerjee Area Sales Manager, Sohagpur Area

28 Shri G. K. Rai Area Sales Manager, Bisrampur Area

29 Shri J. K. Ashia Area Sales Manager, Hasdeo Area

30 Shri Sudhir Kumar Area Sales Manager, Bhatgaon Area

South East Central Railway

1 Shri Sachin Ashok Sharma Sr Divisional Operations Manager

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Participants from the Plants

Sl. No

Organization Name Designation

1 Mahagenco (Maharashtra) Shri Vijay Barange S.E. (Coal)

2 KSK Mahanadi Power Co. Ltd. Shri R. K. Tripathi Joint G.M.

3 KSK Mahanadi Power Co. Ltd. Shri Ramesh Kaser Asstt. Manager

4 SKS Ispat, Raipur Shri P. N. Mishra

5 SKS Ispat, Raipur Shri Chetan Rathod

6 SKS Ispat, Raipur Shri Sunil Birnwar

7 Drolia Electrosteels (P) Ltd., Raipur

Shri Prem Shankar Dubey

8 UTCL, Hirmi Cement Works Shri Pradeep Pandey Manager

9 RRVUNL Shri K. K. Chaturvedi Dy. C.E.

10 RRVUNL Shri R. N. Pandit XEn

11 Khetan Sponge & Infra. (P) Ltd. Shri Yogesh Baraskar Manager

12 Devi Iron & Power Shri Kamal Kedia

13 Indo Sponge Power & Steel Ltd. Shri Anil Agrawal Director

14 Birla Corp. Limited Shri Shantanu Singh Asstt. Manager

15 Maruti Clean Coal & Power Ltd. Shri Devesh Kumar Sahu

16 ACB (1) Ltd. Shri G. Laxman Rao VP

17 PSPGCL Shri Shrinivas Rao

18 TRN Energy Pvt. Ltd. Shri S. K. Tanbir Habib Auth. Rep.

19 Nabha Power Ltd. Shri Ambreesh Kumar Yadav

Executive

20 Nabha Power Ltd. Shri Vishal Bedekar

21 MP Power Gen Co. Ltd. Shri Dinesh K. Jain E.E. (Fuel)

22 MP Power Gen Co. Ltd. Shri Dhilleswar Chemist (Fuel)

23 MP Power Gen Co. Ltd. Shri Rajendra Lakhore EE(CTO)

24 Shama Khad Udyog Shri Satish

25 Adani Power Shri Ajay Kumar Agrawal Associate V.P.

26 Adani Power Dr. Manish Kumar Jain Dy. G.M.

27 Coal Sale Co. Ltd. Shri Shailendra Mishra G.M. (Op)

28 Rattan India Power Ltd. Shri S. K. Tiwari Asstt. Manager

29 Rattan India Power Ltd. Shri Surendar Malik G.M.

30 CSPGCL Raipur Shri L. N. Choudhary S.E. (Fuel Mgmt.)

31 Basudev Tradelink Shri Vinod Kumar Singh

32 Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd. Shri H. Gurubasa Vareja Head (RM-Steel)

33 Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd. Shri Omprakash Sinha Asstt. Mgr. (RM-Steel)

34 Kamal Sponge Shri Kamal Agrawal Director

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35 B. S. Sponge Pvt. Ltd. Shri S. K. Bharah Manager

36 M. R. Patel & Sons Shri Kamlesh

37 Rashmi Sponge Iron & Power Siltara Raipur

Shri Narendra Sharma Manager

38 Phil Ispat Pvt. Ltd. Bilaspur Shri P. K. Verma G.M.

39 Gujrat Narmada Fertilizers Co. Ltd.

Shri P. N. Raghuwanshi Sr. Officer

40 J. K. Cement Ltd. Shri Satish Sharma

41 Sangam Spinners Shri Dhananjay Jaiswal

42 Emami Cement Ltd. Shri Ranjay Choudhary

43 ACC Limited Shri Sanjay Singh

44 Utkal Alumina International Ltd.

Shri T. Suresh Kumar Manager (Commercial)

45 Shah Coal (P) Ltd. Shri R. K. Savaria

46 Shah Coal (P) Ltd. Shri Indrapreet Singh

47 Aditya Aluminium-Hindalco Shri Anandarup Ganguly Geologist

48 DCM Shriram Ltd. Shri Dinesh Thakore GM

49 DCM Shriram Ltd. Shri D. K. Saha

50 Century Cement Shri S. N. Goutam Manager (Purchase)

51 K. C. Thapar (CS) Ltd. Shri P. N. Sinha GM

52 K.C. Thapar (CS) Ltd. Shri Suraj Sinha

53 RKM Powergen Pvt. Ltd. Shri P. M. Rajendran Vice President

54 Coal Feeder Shri Sunil Kapur Director

55 Coal Feeder Shri P. S. Agrawal

56 Coal Feeder Shri K. P. Sathihal

57 K. P. Clean Coal & Energy Bilaspur

Shri C. S. Gambhir

58 Shree Cement Raipur Shri A. C. Joshi AGM (Logistics)

59 Devi Iron & Power (P) Ltd. Shri Hemlal Manhare Manager (Comm.)

60 Shri Bajrang Power & Ispat Ltd. Shri Vedprakash Prasen Sr. Manager (R/M)

61 Dhariwal Infrastructure Limited Shri Goutom Sarkar Consultant

62 MKS Co. (P) Ltd. Bilaspur Shri R. M. Shukla Vice President

63 OPM Amlai Shri Vivek Khandelwal

64 OPM Amlai Shri R. K. Mohta

65 Lanco Amarkantak Power Ltd. Shri Nikhil Dey

66 Lanco Amarkantak Power Ltd. Shri S. K. Jain ED

67 Lanco Amarkantak Power Ltd. Shri Balraj Kamal Prajapati Executive

68 Ultra Tech Cement Shri Manoj Bagrodia Sr. GM

69 Prakash Industries Shri Sanjay Joshi Sr. V.P. Commercial

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70 NTPC Korba Shri A. D. Singh Sr. Manager

71 NSPCL Bhilai Shri A. Datta AGM (FM)

72 NTPC Korba Shri S. K. Sinha AGM (MGR)

73 Satya Power & Ispat Ltd. Shri Shikhar Agrawal

74 Hindustan Zinc Limited Shri Madan Singh Bhadoria

75 GMR Energy Shri B. K. Upadhyay

76 Hindustan Zinc Limited Shri Sunil Jhajharia

77 Hindustan Zinc Limited Shri Manas Tyagi

78 SKS Power Generation (Chhattisgarh)

Shri Surendra Pal Neware

79 Coal Sale Co. Limited Shri Somnath Bhattacharya

80 BALCO Shri Narendra Kumar Dy. Manager

81 BALCO Shri Pervez Md. Dy. Manager

82 MB Power Madhyapradesh Ltd. Shri Lalit Harbola DGM (FM)

83 MB Power Madhyapradesh Ltd. Shri Sandip Dubey Asstt. Manager (Fuel)

84 NTPC Sipat Shri S. S. Narula DGM (FM)