At least 10 states including Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Rajasthan owe Coal India Limited (CIL) over Rs 19,9000 crore in outstanding dues despite being reminded of it multiple times, top government sorces have told CNN-News18, adding that despite this the government-owned coal mining and refining corporation maintained its supply to these states.
Delay in monsoon and then an extended rainfall were some of the factors which impacted the coal supply that lead to the shortage in the country, sources said on Tuesday.
As per the records, despite the outstanding dues and the fact that coal intake was being regulated by these states, CIL has maintained supply to these states.
ALSO READ: Coal Crisis: Centre Raps States for Refusing ‘Favour’ in June Despite Request to Increase Stock
Sources also said that despite several reminders from the Centre, the state governments did not increase their coal stocks. As per the official records, a communication regarding this was made by the Coal Ministry to the states in January, April, and May this year. Moreover, a letter on the same was also written to the states by Union Power Minister RK Singh.
Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi, which put a complete ban on coal-based power plants in 2019, created a panic that there is a shortage in coal supply. Similarly, the Punjab government also shut power plants but did not make an alternative arrangement for power supply in the state, said sources.
Another factor that led to this crisis was the three-four times hike in coal prices in the international markets and thus those plants, which would import coal, press the demand onto the domestic supply. A sudden increase in the demand of coal supply up to 1,94 million was a result of demand for domestic coal.
Sources also informed that some states, which had mines, have not operated them despite all the clearances given by the central government. Such as the mine in Jharkhand has been waiting for the state government’s clearance for over a year. The Jharkhand mine has a capacity of 34,000 million tonnes. Rajasthan is another state which has not been given clearance for mining.
As far as the transportation of coal is concerned, it has been addressed effectively by the Centre and Railways has deployed more than 350 rakes for the same. At present, the coal supply has a stock for about five days time and within the next fortnight also the stock supply will be increased to about 15 days of stock, sources added.
ALSO READ: ‘No Reason to Panic’: After Meeting PM Modi, Coal Min Says ‘Govt Replenishing Stock’
The supply maintained this year is 99.33 million in comparison to about 75 million last year, the official records showed.
Some of the states were regulating coal and also had huge outstanding dues to be paid to CIL. Letters from various levels like the Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi, Secretary (Coal) and also from CIL were written to these states regarding the issue. Here’s about these states:
• Rajasthan: Number of letters were written, from the last quarter of FY 21 and first quarter of FY 22, to the Rajasthan government, State Energy Minister, Chief Minister, requesting it not to regulate coal intake and build sufficient coal stock and it has also been requested for increasing the supply from their own captive coal block. The outstanding dues of Rajasthan are to the tune of Rs 278.47 crore. Moreover, during the last quarter of FY 2021, Rajasthan had requested to restrict supply coal due to problems in handling and storage. They have been allotted two coal blocks from which they have been asked to increase supply to their power plant.
• Maharashtra: Letters were written to the Maharashtra government and its Chief Minister requesting intervention for directing power companies to confirm availability of coal before importing, maintaining sufficient stock and also clearing outstanding dues. The outstanding dues of MAHAGENCO are to the tune of Rs 2619.29 crore.
• Andhra Pradesh: Letters were written to Andhra Pradesh government and its Chief Minister requesting intervention for directing power companies to confirm availability of coal before importing, maintaining sufficient stock and also clearing outstanding dues. The outstanding dues are to the tune of Rs 256.14 crore.
• Tamil Nadu: Letters were written to the Tamil Nadu government and the Chief Minister requesting intervention for directing power companies to confirm availability of coal before importing, maintaining sufficient stock and also clearing outstanding dues. The outstanding dues of TANGEDCO are to the tune of Rs 1087.27 crore.
• West Bengal: Letters were written to the West Bengal government and the Chief Minister requesting intervention for directing power companies to confirm availability of coal before importing, maintaining sufficient stock and also clearing outstanding dues. The outstanding dues are to the tune of Rs 1958.6 crore. They have been allotted four coal blocks from which they have been asked to increase supply to their power plant.
• Punjab: Letters were written to the Punjab government and the Chief Minister requesting intervention for directing power companies to confirm availability of coal before importing, maintaining sufficient stock and also clearing outstanding dues. The outstanding dues of PSPCL are to the tune of Rs 119.52 crore.
• Chhattisgarh: Letters were written to the Chhattisgarh government and the Chief Minister Chhattisgarh requesting intervention for directing power companies to maintain comfortable coal stock and also to clear outstanding dues. The outstanding dues are to the tune of Rs 127.33 crore. They have been allotted Gare Palma Sector 3 coal block from which they have been asked to increase supply to their power plant.
Read all the Latest News , Breaking News and IPL 2022 Live Updates here.
Comments
0 comment