Give priority to local industry in allocation of coal supplies: INTUC

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, February 12

The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) has demanded that priority should be given to local industries in Chhattisgarh as increasing share of the coal supplies produced locally to industries in other states was adversely impacting state’s power projects and industries.

National general secretary of INTUC, Sanjay Singh , who is also head of the Chhattisgarh unit, has written to several ministry’s and also the Prime Minister demanding immediate remedial measures to ensure coal demands of industrial units in the state are met on a priority basis.

Chhattisgarh has coal reserves of an estimated 56 billion tonnes and accounts for 18% of the national coal reserves, but is facing an unprecedented coal crisis. The South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) produces over 165 million tonnes of coal annually, which is supplied to industries in Chhattisgarh as well as outside, he said.

More than 250 industries in Chhattisgarh have set up captive power projects to meet their power needs. These units produce around 4,000 MW of electricity and require around 32 million tonnes of coal a year, which is 19% of SECL's overall production. "For the past one year, SECL has increased the share of coal supplies to power projects and industries outside the state at the cost of industries in Chhattisgarh. Even though the coal is mined in Chhattisgarh, the share of coal supplied locally is shrinking, leading to a coal crisis and huge financial losses to industries in the state," he said

The INTUC official warned that the coal crisis can lead to the closure of industrial units in the state, creating unemployment which could lead to social unrest. He said the central government is responsible for creating the crisis in non-BJP ruled states. He also warned that INTUC would launch an agitation and block the movement of coal vehicles to other states if adequate coal supplies are not ensured to Chhattisgarh.

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