Two years ago, in the month of July 2013, the Union Coal Ministry had allotted coal block to the State in Kundanli-Luburi area of Odisha for power sector for a period of 25 years. Since the State Government had no experience in the exploration and exploitation of coal energy, the Coal Ministry desired that the State Government floats Joint Venture Company between JKSPDC and NTPC. This was very sensible and in the interests of the State because the Coal Ministry wanted that the State should derive maximum benefit from this allotment so that it could come over power deficit in the State. We know that our State is faced with acute power deficit despite the fact that we have water resources. Now keeping in mind our unsatisfactory power position and the large amount of money which we have to pay for purchasing power from the National Power Grid, it was expected that the State Government would initiate the process of floating the Joint Venture Company (JVC) as early as possible so that utilization of the allotted coal block would begin to supplement power production. Two years have passed by and so far no step has been taken for floating the JVC. The Centre has categorically said that unless JVC is floated and the Centre is formally informed, the final letter of utilization of the coal block would not be issued.
Union Ministry of Coal is justified in taking this decision. The State has no expertise in the utilization of coal for thermal power production. It needs to build its expertise first and then undertake the exploitation of the coal block allotted to it.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel