UNION MINISTERS OF POWER AND COAL CO-CHAIR REVIEW MEET WITH STATES THROUGH VC
CHANDIGARH, MAY 27: Acceding to Punjab request on the count, Union Power and Coal Ministers have assured the state of timely and regular coal supplies for the forthcoming paddy sowing season.
The assurance was made during the review meeting co-chaired by Union Minister of Power and Non-Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh and Union Minister of Coal Pralhad Joshi with states including Punjab earlier in the day through video-conferencing.
Underlining Punjab’s requirement for regular coal supplies during the meeting to ensure smooth paddy sowing, State Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO had rewuested centre for ensuring timely and efficient dispatches in view of coming season.
Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO while raising state’s concerns on account of prevailing coal situation across the country urged centre to also devise alternate mechanisms to tackle electricity shortage on longterm basis.
Our farmers will be sowing paddy beginning June 14, we are fully prepared to ensure a foolproof and seamless sowing experience to them for which we have also requested Union government to forward all timely assistance in form of sufficient coal supplies, the Minister later revealed. We need 20 rakes daily of coal to meet peak sowing demand, the Minister added.
Expressing his thanks to the Union Ministers for their concerted efforts, the Power Minister said he was confident a viable solution to the issue would be ensured by the Centre to address all our demands.
Punjab being the foremost producer is credited for contributing major chunk of Central Pool foodgrain reserves both in form of wheat and rice. During the previous Kharif Season, Punjab produced over 186 LMTs of paddy while adding close to 100 LMTs of wheat this Rabi Season.
Principal Secretary Power Tejveer Singh and CMD PSPCL Baldev Singh Sran remained present during the meeting.