Hindu
Haryana seeks higher power quota

Special Correspondent
Haryana demands 250 MW power for rabi season

CHANDIGARH: Haryana has urged the Union Power Ministry to increase the State’s quota of electricity from its unallocated pool. It has also sought allocation of 250 MW power for the ongoing rabi season so that adequate electricity is supplied to the farmers.

These demands were raised by Haryana Power Minister Mahendra Pratap Singh while speaking in the conference of Power Ministers organised by Union Power Ministry at New Delhi on Sunday.

He urged the Centre for higher allocation of electricity in the Central Sector projects including Ultra Mega Power Plants as Haryana was located very far from the coal-fields and had limited hydro-power generation potential. In this context, Haryana’s request for gas allocation of 7.5 MMSMCD for its proposed gas plant at Faridabad was justified, he said.

The Minister said that Haryana had been substantially contributing to the national pool of foodgrains stock. It had purchased electricity at much higher rates during the Kharif/paddy season and power to the tune of Rs. 1,000 crore was purchased to meet the requirement of farmers. He added that the rates of purchase of power per unit on short term basis were required to be fixed to avoid higher rates. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission had recently passed an order of capping of price of short-term power, which had expired on October 26. This should be extended and a mechanism should be developed to cap the rate of such power.

Referring to power generation in the State, he said Haryana was mainly dependent on coal-based thermal plants. The cost of transportation of coal for States like Haryana was more than the cost of coal. Therefore, it was imperative that good quality coal be transported at such long distances. The Union Coal Ministry must impress upon the coal companies to set up washeries at the loading sites and ensure supply of sufficient quantity of coal to the power stations of Haryana.

He stated that Haryana was all set to add 1,800 MW power in the State’s kitty during the 11th Five Year Plan. Earlier, it had added 500 MW in the 10th Plan and had achieved 100 per cent target. Now, it proposed to add 5,000 MW additional power in the State as well as private sector.

Mr. Singh disclosed that the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana was being implemented on priority basis in Haryana under which developmental works were being carried out and new connections released to the people living below poverty line. He urged that the condition of minimum population of 100 persons be relaxed so that un-connected hamlets were benefited with the scheme.