The Centre has assured that there are sufficient coal reserves in the country to produce electricity, but that hasn’t stopped state governments to flag concerns about shutting down of thermal power stations due to scarcity of coal. According to Hindustan Times’ sister publication Livehindustan, three thermal power plants in Punjab, four in Kerala and 13 in Maharashtra have been shut.
The chief ministers of Karnataka and Punjab have urged the Centre to increase coal supply.
The Congress has blamed the central government for the coal shortage in the country and expressed fear that power rates may be increased now after the hike in petrol prices.
