Coal India Limited (CIL) told the media that coal supply was temporarily prioritised to replenish the producers of their dwindling stock of dry fuels. CIL said that the shortage of coal in the powerhouse due to the spurt in the economy post-second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, the supply of coal was prioritised to the power sector to replenish producers of their coal stocks. The coal companies were suggested to go slow temporarily on conducting an online auction for coal, baring the special forward online auction for power. The initiative was highly transitory to the tide of the current demand for coal in the power sector, and it will soon be restored. The Minister of Coal, Pralhad Joshi, Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Power Minister, R K Singh, discussed ways to improve coal supply in power plants. Joshi reviewed the performance of CIL and Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) and directed them to increase coal production and load to a minimum of 34 rakes of dry fuel every day. He said that the government was making efforts to meet the demand for coal, and initiatives are being taken to increase dry fuel supply to two million tonnes daily. He also complimented machine operators at NCL's Nigahi opencast coal project. He said that their role is integral to increasing coal production and despatch from the coalfield. CIL accounts for more than 80% of the domestic coal output in the country. Image Source Also read: NLC India begins coal supply to NTPC Darlipali in Odisha