How suitable is coal based power policy for India?
Integrated Energy Policy draft of the Planning Commission has propounded coal based power policy for the country. There are also few influential persons/ organizations advocating for such a policy. There has been a great rush to set up a large number of coal based power stations both in public and private sectors. The implications of having 70% coal power by 2031-32 are huge, and need to be considered holistically in the best interest of the society. The social, economic and environmental implications of such a policy need to be carefully weighed in view of the vast experience available across the world. (This paper submitted on 23 March 2009)