Cabinet approves new rules to widen coal export market

Linkage holders can now export up to 50% of the coal obtained through long-term contracts

- Vijay C. Roy & Rituraj Baruah

Move seeks to broaden the market for domestic coal amid record production of over 1 billion tonnes in FY24.

In a bid to find new buyers for domestic coal, the Union cabinet has approved a new policy to allow coal buyers under linkages or long term contracts to export it.

The cabinet on Friday also approved the 16th Census of India, which will start in April 2026 and end in February 2027. About three million people will help conduct the world's largest statistical exercise, for which ₹11,718 crore has been approved.

Coal linkage is a contract for the supply of coal from specific mines to designated consumers. The move aims to broaden the market for Indian coal and allow the supply of more coal for exports.