Coal India Limited (CIL) announced that it has begun tranche-VII of the linkage auction to non-regulated sector (NRS) within days of completion of tranche-VI. CIL has proactively increased the tenure of fuel supply agreement (FSA) to 10 years, beginning with seventh tranche, to ensure long term assurance of coal supply through linkage auction to NRS. Apart from long term assurance of regular supply of coal provided through linkage auction, CIL is also conducting single window e-auction where any consumer can participate and get coal for meeting short term requirements.

With increased availability of coal in the last quarter of the fiscal, offer of coal is likely to increase further under the e-auction window. CIL is aiming to put 20% of the envisaged production of this fiscal's fourth quarter under e- auction block.