R Krishna Das
Raipur, December 21
Rajasthan may plunge into power crises, “courtesy” another Congress-ruled state of Chhattisgarh.
The Bhupesh Baghel government in Chhattisgarh has put Ashok Gehlot dispensation in Rajasthan in a dilemma. Both the states are ruled by the Congress but have locked horns for a coal mine in Chhattisgarh that will feed Rajasthan dry fuel demand, failing which the state will plunge into serious power crises.
Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RRVUNL), a state-run power generation utility of Rajasthan, has been allotted Parsa coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Sarguja district. The capacity of mine is 5 million tonne per annum (MTPA) while RRVUNL also operates a 15 MTPA mine in the vicinity.
Interestingly, the Chhattisgarh government has given Consent to Establish for the Parsa coal mine in March but is averse to awarding the Consent to Operate and permission required after second stage environment clearance. Even the Coal Controller has granted mine opening permission.
Chhattisgarh officials could not be contacted for its version on the issue. However, Gehlot has knocked at the door of Interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi and urged to intervene.
In a letter to Sonia Gandhi, Gehlot has said that even after repeated requests, Chhattisgarh has not given approval for mining in coal blocks allotted to the Rajasthan government.
Gehlot told Sonia that the delay can lead to stoppage of 4340 MW of power generation. Due to non-availability of coal, the Rajasthan government has been forced to increase the price of electricity in the state to 33 paise per unit, making it one of the most expensive power vendors in the country.
Above all, the poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab will feel the heat in future if Rajasthan plummets into power crises. The state has been feeding power to Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, where Congress is desperate to retain power as the border state battles electricity shortage.
In July, Rajasthan stopped power supply to Uttar Pradesh and Punjab to meet its demand.
