Power engineers oppose coal imports as minister says no shortage
NEW DELHI: The All India Power Engineers Federation has questioned compulsory coal imports by generation companies and sought PM Narendra Modi’s intervention for withdrawal of the power ministry’s directive for 10% blending with imported coal, even as fuel inventories at 54 power plants remain critical.
In a letter to the PM, federation chief Shailendra Dube has pointed out coal minister Prahlad Joshi’s statement in the Rajya Sabha that “there is no coal shortage in the country” and says compulsory blending of domestic coal with costlier imported fuel will raise consumer tariff.
Replying to a question on “shortage of coal production” by BJP’s Rajya Sabha member C M Ramesh, Joshi had on Monday informed the House that there was no shortage and production in the current financial year was up 31% till June.
