Coal Regulator A Good News For Power Sector

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><root available-locales="en_US," default-locale="en_US"><static-content language-id="en_US"><![CDATA[<p>The government's proposal to set up a coal regulator is good news for the power sector. As per the Coal Regulatory Bill, the body would look into timely development of the blocks, penalties on non-performers as well as pricing of coal. <br><br>An effective, independent watchdog could bring in much needed transparency and efficiency in the coal sector. These plans though, have met rough weather with senior ministers opposing the excessive executive powers of the regulator. <br><br>That apart, concerns exist over its power to fix and revise coal prices annually. It would not only take away Coal India's right to do the same but judging by company's unsuccessful past attempts to raise prices (due to resistance from power producers), there's no guarantee a coal regulator would be able to regulate prices any better. Or for that matter, could it do any better than the coal ministry on any of the issues? It could just end up creating posts for bureaucratic idling.<br><br></p>