Thermal power generators are now required to pay in advance for coal procured from Coal India Ltd and have to make upfront payments to the Railways for coal transportation. On the other hand, discoms continue to procure power from generators without paying for 3-5 months. Forcing discoms to acquire LCs will bring discipline to this part of the chain. If a discom doesn’t pay, the generator can enforce the LC, collect payment and discontinue power supply to the discom.