Amid reports of power crisis due to alleged shortage of coal stock in the country, Government sources said that States have to pay nearly Rs 20,000 crores as dues to Coal India.
According to the sources, Rajasthan owes approximately Rs 278 crores, while Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu owe Rs 2600 crore and Rs 1100 crore, respectively. States like West Bengal, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka also owe Rs 2000 crores, Rs 1200 crore, Rs 1000 crore, and Rs 23 crore, respectively.
The sources also revealed that Coal Ministry has been writing to States to pick up stocks from Coal India since January but received no response.
Government sources stated that Coal India could stock only up to a limit as overstocking can cause coal fire. Jharkhand, Rajasthan& WB have their coal mines, but there was little or no mining.
The government further hit at the Opposition, saying their ruled states, instead of preparing for the rising power demand or lifting their quota of coal, despite reminders, indulged in “creating panic”.
Explaining the current measures initiated to improve the coal situation, the government said that the stock available at thermal power plants (TPPs) is 7.3MT (as on October 11, 2021), which is sufficient for four days. In the next 4-5 days, 1.5MT to 2MT coal will reach power stations against the demand of 1.94 MT.
