Tangedco forms coal quality assurance wing

16 Feb 2023 CW Team

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.

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.

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