Coal Crisis: ”Why has NTPC halved power generation?”, Delhi Govt asks the Centre

New Delhi: Stating that the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has cut the power generation in its plants by 50 per cent, the Delhi Government on Tuesday demanded that the Centre must tell the reason why it had done so.

State Power Minister Satyendar Jain said at a news conference here that all coal-reliant power plants in Delhi are non-functional and BJP is spreading rumours about it. The Power Minister said that the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) has to give 3,500 Mega Watt (MW) power to Delhi under the power purchase agreement, but today it is giving only half of it, i.e. 1,750 MW. Delhi has gas-powered electric power plants but the Central Government has stopped giving gas to Delhi at a controlled rate because of which the Delhi Government has to buy gas at market rates to generate electricity.

”This has increased the cost of power generation to the Delhi Government. Despite this, there has been no power cut in the Capital and the Delhi Government is ensuring 24×7 electricity to the people. Satyendar Jain asked the Central Government whether there is really a coal shortage in the country or is it deliberately cutting power,” he said.

They have done this not for one plant but for all the plants of the country. Chief Ministers of 5 to 6 states have written letters to the Prime Minister on this issue. Be it Punjab, Andhra Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh power cuts are being imposed everywhere in the country except Delhi. Delhi Government is providing 24×7 electricity to the people of Delhi even after buying electricity at higher rates, he said.

—INDIA NEWS STREAM