MP blames Centre for power crisis

Bhopal, Jan 8: Blaming the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre for the present power crisis in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has alleged that the Centre had deliberately delayed supply of generating set to the 500 megawatt thermal unit at Birsinghpur and said he would take up the matter with the Centre and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited.

Reviewing the power supply position at a high-level meeting here yesterday, Mr Chouhan said 150 megawatt less power was being generated at BHEL.

''This is causing difficulty in supplying power to farmers'', he said, adding 'Had the BHEL supplied the generating set on time, generation of full 500 MW would have begun at Birsinghpur'.

He said the Government of India was being urged to keep coal blocks reserved for setting up 1200 MW thermal plant at Shahpura near Jabalpur in the private sector. Tenders in this regard would be floated in June this year. The Revenue department has been tipped to arrange 400 hectare land for extension of Sarni thermal station.

The Chief Minister directed the officers to purchase power at any rate for supplying the same to farmers for Rabi crop. So far, Rs 346 crore had been provided to State Electricity Board, while additional Rs 150 crore would also be provided, official sources said.

Single-phase electricity supply would be maintained in village throughout the night to facilitate the students to study, he said.

While stressing on the need to check transmission and distribution loss, Mr Chouhan said the process of giving permanent connection in lieu of temporary connection would be started in April. Separate feeders would be arranged to supplying power to farmers at a cost of Rs 1950 crore with Asian Development Bank assistance.

He said a lenient attitude would be adopted about the pending cases against farmers for power theft. Ways to withdraw such cases should be given proper consideration, he stressed.

UNI