In a major reform push, the Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Policy for Auction of Coal Linkage for Seamless, Efficient and Transparent Utilisation (Coal - SETU) under the NRS (Non-Regulated Sector) Linkage Policy.

The newly introduced CoalSETU Window will allow auction-based long-term coal linkages for any industrial use as well as export, promoting transparent access to domestic coal and reducing dependence on imports.

The key features are: Long-term coal linkages without end-use restrictions, Open participation for all domestic industrial coal buyers (excluding traders), Permission to export up to 50% of linkage coal, Flexible utilisation across group companies, Increased availability of washed coal for cleaner use and major boost to ease of doing business and coal sector efficiency

The decision is expected to accelerate coal sector reforms and strengthen the government’s vision of a self-reliant and developed India (Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat).