Tangedco has established a full-fledged coal quality assurance wing to evaluate the quality of coal at
collieries and thermal plants in order to comply with the recommendations of a Comptroller Audit
General (CAG) report.
It will be led by a superintendent engineer from the mechanical/mines wing, according to a February
7 order, who will answer directly to the director (generation). The SE will receive assistance from an
executive engineer and two assistant executive engineers. According to the order’s citation of the
CAG report, “Tangedco should overhaul the entire system of assessment of quality and amount of
coal in order to minimise the cost of generating and tariff.
There will also be built up a centralised laboratory in Chennai with the most up-to-date testing tools
for testing coal and distributing coal testing at thermal power plants. The current system of
evaluating the quality and quantity of coal was highlighted in the CAG report for the year ending
March 31, 2019, as lacking efficiency and effectiveness and being riddled with organisational,
practical, logistical, procedural, and human resources problems.
For assuring the quality of coal and all materials and equipment purchased, it suggested establishing
a separate quality assurance wing. Additionally, it was mentioned that various entities should handle
quality control and procurement.
According to a Tangedco official, ships’ plimsoll lines or waterlines are currently used to gauge the
amount of coal being carried. The amount equal to the depreciation will be subtracted from the
payment if there is any discrepancy in the quantity. While 95% of the cost is covered under the
agreement, 5% is deferred until the supply is made to the thermal plants in order to account for
quantity problems.
Like this, samples are taken from collieries and at ship arrival to ensure that the promised quality is
delivered. “Aside from tests in Tangedco labs, samples will also be forwarded to third party labs, said
the official.