VIVECHNA CONSULTING _LLP

Greetings, Dear Sir/Madam, It gives me great pleasure to inform that Vivechna Consulting LLP, a consultancy/advisory firm, has successfully completed one-year journey since its formation in November'2023. Our philosophy is " न्यायम्पारायणम्विजयम्(Righteousness Wins)". We have core competence in - Formulation/examination/vetting of legal documents relating to commercial contracts. Coal consultancy. Dealing with disputes and litigation pertaining to works and supply tenders/contracts. Handling commercial arbitration. Kindly have a glance at the services vertical of this website for our detailed scope of services. We have already built up a strong client base spread throughout India from various sectors such as Power Producers, Non-Power Industries, Coal Traders, Coal Washeries, Government Civil Contractors, Inspection & Testing Agencies, Hospital Chains, etc. At Vivechna Consulting LLP, we are committed to provide best quality services to our clients. Our team consists of highly experienced and skilled professionals/legal experts who are dedicated to delivering exceptional results and ensuring total satisfaction for our clients. We offer competitive terms and flexible options to meet specific needs of our clients. We are proud to have become a trusted name in the field and served a large number of satisfied clients. We earnestly look towards your valued clientele with us. With kind regards.

Executive Summary: The Ministry of Coal has officially amended the mining laws to classify Coking Coal as a "Critical and Strategic Mineral." This move, notified via Gazette Notification on January 28, 2026, signals the government's intent to secure raw materials for the steel industry and reduce India's heavy reliance on imports.Deep Dive: Analysis1. The News (What actually happened?) On January 27, 2026, the Ministry of Coal issued a new notification - (G.S.R. 64(E)), using their powers under Section 11C of the MMDR Act, 1957 to change the "First Schedule" of the Act.2. The Two Key Changes The government made two specific text changes to the law: Change 1 (The Definition): In "Part A" of the list, changed the word "Coal" to "Coal, including Coking Coal". This ensures there is absolutely no confusion in the law—Coking Coal is distinct but included under the coal umbrella. Change 2 (The Strategy Shift): This is the big one. Inserted a new entry, "3A. Coking Coal," into Part D of the Schedule. Why does "Part D" matter? In the world of Indian mining law, Part D can be visualized as the VIP list. It is the list of Critical and Strategic Minerals. By moving Coking Coal here, the government is officially saying, "This mineral is too important for national security and the economy and not to be treated like just ordinary fuel." Key Insights & Industry Impact1. Why did Government do this? (The Import Problem) India is huge in steel production, but we don't have enough Coking Coal (the specific type of coal needed to produce steel in blast furnace from iron ore). We import a massive amount of it. By classifying it as "Critical & Strategic," the Central Government takes tighter control to ensure domestic reserves are mined faster and more efficiently.2. Central Government vs. State Government Usually, minerals in Part D fall under closer Central Government scrutiny regarding mining leases and auction terms. This could streamline the auction process, bypassing some local bureaucratic hurdles that often delay regular coal blocks.3. Boost for the Steel Sector This policy seems directly aimed at the "National Steel Policy." The government likely plans to auction Coking Coal blocks specifically to steel companies (captive use) or commercial miners who promise to sell to domestic steel plants, reducing our import bill. Actionable Advice (What you should do) For Steel Manufacturers: Monitor the "Nominated Authority" website immediately. Since this is now a Strategic Mineral, expect a special round of auctions specifically for Coking Coal blocks to be announced soon. For Mining Contractors: The government will likely push for "high-tech mining" in these blocks because Indian Coking Coal is difficult to wash and process. If you have technology for Coking Coal Washeries, your services will be in high demand. Legal & Compliance Teams: Update your internal definitions. If you are applying for a tender that mentions "Part D Minerals," understand that Coking Coal is now part of that compliance bracket.

Executive Summary: On February 16, 2026, Coal India Limited (CIL) released the draft operative modalities for a new auction window named 'CoalSETU' (Seamless, Efficient & Transparent Utilisation). This window will be under the Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) Linkage Auction Policy. The draft document outlines the proposed rules for domestic buyers except traders, seeking long-term coal supply agreements. CIL is currently inviting feedback from prospective bidders on these proposed modalities.Deep Dive: Analysis1. Who Can Participate? The draft indicates that any domestic buyer requiring coal can participate in this auction. This includes existing specified end-users, such as cement and sponge iron plants, as well as independent coal washery operators. However, the document explicitly restricts participation to actual users and washeries; traders are not permitted to participate in this window.2. Usage and Export Rules: The proposed modalities introduce specific parameters for how the allocated coal can be utilized. Buyers may use the coal for their own industrial consumption, coal washing, or for export. The draft specifies that linkage holders are eligible to export up to 50% of their total coal linkage quantity.3. Long-Term Contracts: For those who successfully secure allocations, the proposed tenure for the Fuel Supply Agreements (FSAs) under the CoalSETU window is 10 years. Key Insights: Restrictions and Pricing Mechanism1. Resale and Rejects Guidelines: While the draft permits the export of raw coal up to the 50% limit, it prohibits the resale of raw coal within the domestic Indian market. Businesses are, however, permitted to sell processed products, such as washed coal and washery by-products, domestically.Additionally, the disposal of coal washery rejects with a Gross Calorific Value (GCV) of less than 2200 kcal/kg must follow the specific Ministry of Coal policy dated May 27, 2021. The draft also requires a declaration confirming that no coking coal is processed or utilized under this specific linkage window.2. The Proposed Auction Format The document outlines a 'First-Price Sealed Bid' auction methodology. In this format, eligible bidders submit a single sealed bid specifying the quantity requested and the price per tonne. The winning premium percentage established during the auction will remain constant throughout the 10-year tenure of the FSA. The final delivered price will be calculated using the modulated notified price, the winning premium, and an "Escalable Component" based on previous auction premiums. Actionable Advice (What businesses should consider) Submit Feedback: CIL has opened a 20-day window from the date of the notification (February 16, 2026) for interested parties to submit opinions or suggestions regarding these draft modalities. Businesses may want to review the pricing formulas and usage restrictions to determine if feedback is necessary. Review Bidding Strategies: Because the proposed mechanism is a sealed bid rather than a forward auction, companies might need to evaluate their internal bidding strategies. In this proposed format, the submitted bid price is final and will be ranked in descending order to determine allocations. Analyse Washery Capabilities: Independent washery operators should ensure their Environmental Clearances (EC) and Consents to Operate (CTO) explicitly specify "coal washing / beneficiation" to meet the proposed qualification criteria.