For the second time in a row, the state-owned trading house MMTC Ltd has emerged as the sole bidder for supply of imported fuel to Coal India Ltd. The tender was closed last week.

According to the fuel supply agreements entered between the coal major and consumers, in 2012, CIL proposed to meet 15 per cent of the fuel needs through imports on a cost-plus basis.

Accordingly 50-odd consumers, including many power producers, expressed initial interest to procure 5 million tonne of imported fuel through CIL. The coal major in turn, floated a tender to appoint a contractor for sourcing imported fuel and ensuring supply the same to consumers. MMTC was the sole bidder for the contract when the tender was floated for the first time last year.

To ensure better participation, CIL floated the tender again but, without much luck. “MMTC is the sole bidder for the fresh contract. The bid is under evaluation,” a senior CIL executive told Business Line .