We Have Sufficient Power; No Need To Panic: Power Minister

Union Minister for Power RK Singh said that the panic on coal shortage is unnecessarily and this is due to miscommunication from GAIL and Tata. Singh spoke at a press conference amid massive concern about the power supply in more than six states, including the national capital Delhi. “We have sufficient power available… We are supplying power to the entire country. Whoever wants, give me a requisition and I will supply them,” the minister said.

“The panic has been unnecessarily created and the country has four days’ reserve,” said the power minister. “Delhi will continue to get supply and there will be no load-shedding… The supply of domestic or imported coal will continue irrespective of the charges. Under no circumstances the gas supply will come down,” he added.

On Saturday, Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi had said that the increase in the international price of coal and heavy rainfall in the country this year contributed to its shortage. “If you compare with the past many years, coal production and dispatch have been the highest in September and especially in October. In another three to four days, things will be alright,” Mr Joshi said.

Joshi further said that Coal India Ltd currently has 43 million tonnes of coal stock which would be sufficient to meet 24 days of demand. “Assuring everyone that there is absolutely no threat of disruption in power supply. There is sufficient coal stock of 43 million tonnes with @CoalIndiaHQ (Coal India) equivalent to 24 days of coal demand,” he tweeted.

Among many states, from the South, Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “urgent personal attention” calling the situation “quite alarming”. “The power sector is being pushed into turmoil because of the coal shortage,” the Chief Minister pointed out.