Koda urges Shinde to give spl attention to J'khand

Ranchi, Nov 25: Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda has urged Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to expedite the power projects being undertaken in the state.

Mr Koda, who called on Mr Shinde during his New Delhi tour, also requested him to enhance central allocation to the Jharkhand State Electricity Board from present 267 MW saying the power consumption incresed to 1200 MW from 700 MW in past five years.

Giving special emphasis on rural elctrification, Mr Koda said a project report for all the 22 districts for Rs 2785.70 crore had been submitted to Rural Electrification under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana.

However, sanction for only five districts (Dhandad, Koderma, Bokaro,Saraikela Kharsawan and Deoghar) and in principle six districts (Garhwa, Palamau, Latehar, East Singbhum, West Singbhum and Jamtara) had been received.

Mr Koda appealed to the minister for immediate sanction for the six districts for which approval had been received and approval for the remaining 11 districts.

Under APDRP detailed project report for four towns--Giridih, Chaibasa, Saraikela, Basukhinath(for Rs 41-21 crores) had been submitted for the ministry's approval.

Mr Koda urged to expedite the process of setting up of Ultra Mega Power plant in Jharkhand, adding a central team had already toured potential sites during October-November.

For setting up of IPPs in Jharkhand by corporate groups he said MoU based IPPs should be given priority in the matter of coal block allocation, adding provision for 12 per cent free power and environment cess be made for the host states where such pit head thermal plants are located.

For strengthening of transmission network, he said DPRs for transmission lines for Rs 485 crore under submission to REC New Delhi be sanctioned.

In addition, he demanded a centrally sponsored scheme for transmission work during the 11th Five Year plan.

UNI