The Ministry of Power has issued revised guidelines for disposal of current and legacy ash by coal and lignite-based thermal power plants in line with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and subsequent amendments.
The revised framework mandates 100 per cent ash utilisation while limiting the tariff burden on electricity consumers. Under the revised procedure, thermal power plants are required to declare the quantity of “issuable ash”, defined as fly ash, bottom ash and pond ash available for distribution after meeting existing commitments and technical constraints, before initiating disposal. Plants are required to adopt transparent mechanisms for supply, including tie-ups with bulk consumers and export avenues, and ensure utilisation strictly for environmentally compliant purposes. The guidelines mandate earmarking a portion of issuable fly ash for supply at concessional rates to micro and small enterprises and local users within a 100 km radius of the plant. The quantum and concessional pricing will be determined by a plant-level committee chaired by the head of the plant with representation from local administration and ash user associations. For general sales, plants are required to conduct open auctions with a minimum floor price of Re 1 per metric tonne. Ash remaining unutilised after auction may be supplied free of cost on a first-come, first-served basis, with transportation expenses borne by the user. In cases involving transportation beyond 300 km, the financial responsibility of the plant will be capped at the notional equivalent of road transport up to 300 km, irrespective of the actual mode of transport.