B Akala, chairman-cum-managing director of CCL said the steel plants are not taking any washed coal having more than 18.5 per cent ash. "Very strict control on quality of raw coal supplied to washeries has to be exercised. While we will decide the limiting ash in raw coal that will be permitted for feeding, a minimum of two per cent reduction in raw coal ash should be ensured from all sources," Akala said.

The CMD said in the cement sector "Our loss has been maximum - all because of poor quality and indifferent attitude towards attending and redressing their complaints/grievances."

He mentioned the declining trend of coal despatches from CCL to power, steel and cement sectors besides other users.

"Sluggish demand is not the onlyreason for such fall in despatches. Had we maintained and assured better quality, the steel and cement sectors could have taken more coal from us," he added.

Akala expressed concern over expenditure being incurred on under-loading and overloading of wagons. He said strengthening supervision while loading, apart from fixing responsibility for failure, is the only way to improve matters regard and cut down such expenses.

Chief general manager, quality management, DK Jain said, "Power houses are vociferous due to supply of oversize and presence of extraneous material in the coal. A Supreme Court ruling has stated that from January 1, 1999 the ash content in the coal used in Delhi-based power stations would not be more than 34 per cent. The ash percentage in each rake should be certified by the concerned quality control officer.