Government today asserted that thermal power plants were not
facing shortage of coal following the de-allocation of 22 coal blocks for
failing to develop the facilities but admitted that coal production was low
compared to new power projects being set up in the country.
Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told the Lok Sabha during
Question Hour that, “no power plant has been shut due to shortage of coal.”
At the same time, he conceded that the country was facing
coal shortage but noted that coal was being imported to overcome the problem.
There was a mismatch in the ratio of coal being produced and
new power projects being set up, he further added.
To a supplementary, Jaiswal said several companies have
moved courts against de-allocation of coal blocks and the Government would file
counter affidavits to defend its action.
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