Forced by a presidential directive, government-owned Coal India is likely to sign fuel supply agreements (FSAs) with at least 50 power companies after a board meeting next week.

The board, on the urging of six independent members, had earlier turned down a government directive to commit at least 80 per cent supply to power companies. It is likely to meet on April 16 to approve FSAs for a combined 28,000 Mw of projects commissioned before December last year.