Is the case for privatising coal sector getting stronger?

The chorus of support for privatisation of coal mines is growing louder. The Finance Minister called for PPP in coal in his budget speech; the planning commission has vouched for it and now Raghuram Rajan, the chief economic advisor to the Finance Ministry, has spoken about the need for privatization and more competition to Coal India - the monopoly that controls 80 per cent of India's coal production. Experts debate what challenges this potential exercise could throw up and how critical it is that India amends its laws to allow more private participation in the space. They also discuss whether privatization could really help in the absence of faster environmental clearances and adequate transport networks.