The Odisha government has reiterated demand for allocation of two coal blocks to state run mining PSU, Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and an alternative block for Odisha Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (OTPCL). The demand has been made by Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik during his meeting with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today.
“I met the Prime Minister and sought his intervention on a number of issues, including two coal blocks for OMC and allocation of more coal blocks for the non-regulated sectors. I have also called for early initiation of the bidding process of the Bhedabahal UMPP (ultra-mega power project). Odisha also feels that the clean environment cess needs to be shared between the center and the state government in the ratio of 60:40”, said Mr Patnaik.
The state government has been demanding a commercial coal block for OMC. There are 56 captive power plants (CPPs) of iron, steel and aluminium industries in the state with installed capacity of more than 6,310 Mw.
Besides, the annual requirement of coal for sponge iron units alone, excluding the CPPs, is estimated to be at least 30 MnT pa. Coal requirement of these end-use industries is only expected to increase in the coming years, with their expansion and commencement of production by more units.
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