CMPDIL has raised concerns over the future of CIL.

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26 September 2016

CMPDI, it has said, also faces threat from greater liberalisation with the opening up of the sector to private power, steel and cement makers as well as merchant mining companies.
The consultancy arm of CIL is going for a major reorganisation and shift in its business areas including looking for overseas businesses to survive in future.
“Indian coal sector is inching towards greater liberalisation. Earlier it was a mainly a public sector domain having almost full control on coal production and distribution. This status is now getting diluted… Coal is fast being replaced by renewable energy sources like solar, wind etc. If coal mining takes a downtrend, it may lead to shrinkage of consultancy assignments to CMPDI,” the subsidiary has told prospective consultants while inviting proposals to draw up a game-changing business plan for its future.
CMPDIL is one of the nine subsidiaries of CIL, which works for its parent in providing with all pre-mining technical knowhow as well as to outsiders. It also advices coal ministry on coal auction and development of new fuels like coal-bed methane, coal to liquid and also shale gas.
Formed in 1975, CMPDI created core competency through bilateral pacts with erstwhile USSR, Kopex of Poland and British mining consultants for carrying out joint planning exercises for large opencast and underground projects.
However, over the years, CMPDI’s expert manpower has been fast depleting with many of its experienced technical experts retiring or moving out.
Emergence of small consultancy firms comprising of former CIL and CMPDI employees having its know-how and also entry of foreign mining consultants have created new competition, the subsidiary has told prospective bidders.
Source – DNA