Patiala In yet another shocker for the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), the Jharkhand government has sent a notice to the state government to pay ₹502 crore for the utility’s overexploitation of the Pachwara coal mine in that state with a private mine operator.
The amount sought is for the period before 2013, when the Supreme Court had cancelled the allocation of all mines. It was noticed, however, that PSPCL had drawn more coal than sanctioned. Over six years from 2006-2007 to 2011-12, against the 24 million tonne coal that was to be produced, as per the approved mining plan, over 37 million was actually produced and supplied (about 50% above the limit).
The PSPCL has got a notice for paying up on the behalf of EMTA, a company it had hired to run its coal operations. EMTA, on its part, has already dragged the PSPCL in court and is seeking ₹1,800 crore more for its mine operations.
