This paperless process is part of CIL’s broader strategy to modernize its operations, enhance customer service, and align with global sustainability trends. By adopting a fully digital workflow for signing FSAs, the company aims to accelerate the turnaround time for finalizing agreements, benefiting both the power and industrial sectors, which are heavily dependent on a steady coal supply for their operations. The initiative is expected to boost customer confidence in CIL's services and promote transparency in the contract execution process.

For the power sector, which relies on coal as a primary energy source, this digital shift represents a move toward greater reliability and speed in securing coal supplies. Industrial consumers of coal, including steel, cement, and other manufacturing sectors, will also benefit from the reduced processing time for signing agreements, allowing them to plan their operations more efficiently.

The transition to a paperless system reflects CIL’s commitment to environmental sustainability by cutting down on paper use, thus aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints. Additionally, it is part of India’s larger digitalization drive under various government initiatives aimed at making public sector enterprises more agile and technologically advanced.

This development is expected to set a precedent for other sectors within the energy and industrial supply chains to adopt digital processes, enhancing the overall ease of doing business in India. It also underscores the growing importance of technology in transforming traditional industries, especially in sectors like coal, which are critical to the country’s economic and energy needs.