Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Approves Fresh Coal Linkages and Academic Capacity Increase
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved fresh coal linkages in a revised Shakti policy to reduce import dependency and increase capacity addition by thermal power plants. The Union Cabinet also approved an academic and infrastructure capacity increase for five IITs, upgrading of the national scheme for industrial training institutes, and setting up five national centres of excellence for skilling.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Approves Fresh Coal Linkages and Academic Capacity Increase
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved fresh coal linkages in a revised Shakti policy to reduce import dependency and increase capacity addition by thermal power plants. The policy will help thermal power generators procure coal for long-term use with some procedural easement compared to the previous iteration. The Shakti policy, first announced in 2017, has been implemented in 2019 and 2023 before its latest revision on Wednesday.
Key Points:
- The new Shakti policy aims to reduce coal imports and facilitate the setting up of greenfield thermal power projects at pithead sites.
- Thermal power generators will be able to procure coal in two windows under the new policy.
- The Cabinet also approved the infrastructure and academic expansion of five IITs in the country.