Coal India Not To Be Split: Minister Piyush Goyal

South-Eastern Coalfields and Mahanadi Coalfields together account for more than half of the company's total output.

CIL was established in 1975 as a state-owned entity. In 2010, it sold 10 per cent of its shares in the nation's largest initial public offering. Its current market capitalization is Rs 2,41,379.87 crore.

Explaining the pros of a holding company structure, Goyal said, "That structure is better in terms of synergy of operations, moving talent and expertise..."

The minister is of the view that one company will be able to address the issue of rationalizing coal linkages, which help in planning supplies.

Linkages should be made more efficient so that mines supply coal to the nearest power plants, helping to save freight costs, which can be passed on to consumers, or to reduce losses of discoms, the minister added.

In January last year, the coal ministry invited consultants to study the restructuring of Coal India.

READ MORE: NDA Government No Different In Tackling Economic Crisis: Analysts and India's Fiscal Deficit: Controversies over Concern