Jharkhand plea for setting up of nuclear power plant
Press Trust of India / New Delhi July 24, 2010, 17:38 IST

The Jharkhand government today made a strong plea before the Centre for setting up a nuclear power plant in the state in view of availability of uranium there.

It also requested the Centre to include three more districts including state capital Ranchi in the list of left-wing extremism affected areas, saying they are "equally critically" affected by Naxalism compared to 11 districts which have already been identified as such.

"Power has an important role to play in the economic development of the state....In view of the available resources of uranium in Jharkhand, we request setting up of a nuclear power plant in the state," Governor M O H Farook said at the National Development Council meeting here. Jharkhand is now under President's Rule.

Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojna (RGGVY), a Centrally-sponsored scheme for rural electrification, was not serving its desired goal of uplifting of rural economy, the Governor said.

"Under the scheme, only low power transformers are being provided and three phase lines are not permitted to be laid. No rural industry or irrigation system can work on single phase line and low capacity distribution transformers," he said suggesting that RGGVY scheme design requires a relook.

Farook said the state was experiencing great difficulties in inter-state and intra-state power transmission in the absence of adequate transmission network and suggested that a Central sector scheme be provided in the 11th Plan for its improvement.

"Jharkhand seeks Prime Minister's indulgence for one time grant of Rs 1000 crore for improving its transmission network as we are not able to allocate adequate resources to undertake this work," he added. ral Agricultural University in the state.
Coal output growth to decline to 6% in FY11: PMEAC
Press Trust of India / New Delhi July 23, 2010, 19:39 IST

The Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) today said growth rate in coal production will decelerate to 6 per cent in 2010-11 from over 8 per cent in the previous fiscal.

The PMEAC said India's coal production is expected to touch 560 million tonnes this fiscal.

Coal output grew by 6.8 per cent in 2007-08, 7.8 per cent in 2008-09. In 2009-10, it grew by 8.3 per cent to touch 527 million tonnes.

"Although coal output growth has been extremely weak in the first two months of 2010-11, overall for the year it would be reasonable to expect coal output in excess of 560 MT, implying a growth of well over 6 per cent," the PMEAC said in its economic outlook report for 2010-11.

State-owned Coal India is accountable for over 80 per cent of the country's total coal production. The Navratna PSU has set a target for 461.5 MT output for the current fiscal.

The rest is produced by Singareni Collieries Company and others like Tata Steel for captive use.

In 2009-10, the CIL produced 431.27 MT of coal, missing target of 435 MT by a whisker.

CIL mainly supplies to domestic power, steel and cement firms.