Centre Forcing States To Buy Imported Coal: Ashok Gehlot

Imported Coal price is 3 times higher than the normal:Gehlot

On Tuesday, the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that the Centre is pressuring states to purchase imported coal. 

As per the statement given by the Rajasthan CM, he stated that the prices of imported coal are three times more than the ones produced in the country. He also urged the Centre to remove the requirement of purchasing imported coal, which he said has been increased to 10 percent of the total purchase.

According to a release, Mr. Gehlot said the price of imported coal is three times higher than that provided by Coal India.

The chief minister said Rajasthan may have to bear a burden of Rs 1,736 crore if it purchases the imported coal.

According to a release Rajasthan CM said, The Union ministry of power had issued an advisory in December 2021 to the Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam for 4 percent imported coal blending and in April, it has been made mandatory to buy 10 percent," a release quoting Gehlot said.

Further added, "The price of this imported coal is more than three times the price of coal being given by Coal India Limited. Its cost is expected to be about Rs 1,736 crore, which is much higher than the cost of domestic coal," the release said.

In a review meeting of the energy department, he directed officials to ensure a smooth operation of power generation units in the state and increase production. The CM also directed to get the accident-prone power lines repaired.