Jharkhand stir threatens power blues in Punjab
Monday, 26/11/2012
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=56051&boxid=59182&uid=&dat=2012-11-26
Chandigarh : With former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi threatening to block lifeline coal supplies to Punjab’s power plants, the power-deficit border state may face further shortage of coal supplies, which may trigger power crisis.
Panem Coal Mines Ltd, a joint venture of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) and EMTA Group of Companies which mines about 7 million tonnes of coal from the Pachwara mines in Jharkhand for the state’s power plants, has warned of supplies stopping due to the agitation.
“The situation has now become extremely critical and we are afraid, if the issue is not resolved immediately, the supply of coal to the power stations of Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) shall be affected very badly for days to come,” company Director Bikash Mukherjee wrote to PSPCL this week.
The Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) chief Babulal Marandi is on a dharna in Pakur district of Jharkhand demanding rehabilitation of people affected by the Panem Coal Mines.
“They have blocked the approach road to the mines, resulting in total disruption of transportation from mines to the railway siding at Pakur (since November 16),” Mukherjee wrote on November 21.
Marandi along with his supporters has been on dharna demanding a tripartite agreement between the Jharkhand government, Panem Coal Mines and the Raj Mahal Pahar Bacchao Samiti to complete all welfare projects promised by the company within a given timeframe.
Stating that Marandi has been “thoroughly misinformed” Mukherjee said, “The rehabilitation package worked out by the company and approved by both the state and Central government is one of the best in the country.”
The rehabilitation package and its implementation schedule has been appreciated by a committee set up by the Government of India, he said, claiming the local villagers are “extremely happy and satisfied” with the economic and social benefits from the mining project. Mukhejree said Marandi has not responded to the efforts made for a dialogue to explain the company’s position. He wanted Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal to take up the issue with his Jharkhand counterpart so as to resolve the issue immediately.
