Jaipur: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot has demanded the intervention of Interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi to expedite clearance for coal production from blocks allotted to its power projects in the Congress-ruled state of Chhattisgarh. In a letter to Sonia Gandhi, CM Gehlot has said that even after repeated requests from the Chhattisgarh government, state CM Bhupesh Baghel has not given approval for mining in coal blocks allotted to the Rajasthan government.
Gehlot told Sonia that non-receipt of mining permit in Parsa coal mine allotted to Rajasthan in Chhattisgarh could lead to stoppage of 4340 MW of power generation. He said 1,136 hectares of coal mines have been allotted to Rajasthan by the Central Government at Parsa East, Kante Extension and Sarguja. But due to implementation of the second phase of environment clearance, permission has to be obtained from the Panchayats of the State and for that, the Government of Chhattisgarh has to take the initiative.
CM Gehlot further said that no action is being taken even after continuous letters to Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel. Due to non-availability of coal, the Rajasthan government has been forced to increase the price of electricity in the state to 33 paise per unit, making it one of the most expensive power vendors in the country. On the other hand, the Chhattisgarh government is reportedly unable to give environment permission for mines due to protests by locals.
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