The Hindu Business Line : Coal, Power Ministers to discuss thermal plants' problems today

THE Coal Minister, Dr Dasari Narayan Rao, will meet the Power Minister, Mr P.M. Sayeed, on Wednesday to discuss the difficulties faced by the thermal power plants regarding coal supply.

Today, Dr Rao approved coal linkages of 73.92 million tonnes to the power sector for the second quarter of the current fiscal.

This marks an increase of 4.26 million tonnes over the corresponding previous period.

Coal supply to the power sector during the first quarter increased by 3.5 per cent over the previous year.

A sub-group in the Coal Ministry will monitor the performance of various power utilities.

It has also been decided that 59 captive power plants will get 7.1 million tonnes in the second quarter.

In the first quarter, 84 per cent of total coal production was supplied to the power sector and the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) reported a 3.4 per cent growth in power generation.

Cement plants including captive power plants will get coal supply of 3.30 million tonnes in the second quarter. The cement sector was supplied with 14.94 million tonnes of indigenous coal in the first quarter.

Officials said that during last week's Standing Linkage Committee meeting, the power utilities were told to improve their performance regarding wagon handling by improving unloading infrastructure to reduce wagon unloading time.

Coal India has also called upon various State electricity boards and NTPC to clear outstanding dues.

It has told the Ministry that as a result of concerted efforts taken by the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Coal, and coal companies, the coal stock position in many power houses have improved.

It has also been pointed out that factors like inventory control by some power houses, delay in finalisation of fuel supply agreements, and accumulation of coal stocks at ports are leading to critical stock position in some power houses.

All these issues will figure in tomorrow's meeting between the Ministers, officials said.

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