New Delhi: The Central government has claimed that the 'Rail Roko' of farmers' organisations on Monday not only damaged public property but also affected the supply of coal. Sources in the government said at least 46 railway tracks carrying coal remained stranded on Monday as farmers launched a Rail Roko agitation across the country that day. These coal-laden trains were to reach states where power plants are facing coal shortages.

Last week, the central government, which has been facing criticism for coal shortages and power crisis, said state governments have failed to predict the rising demand for electricity. A source close to the Coal Ministry said, "The Rail Roko movement has affected the movement of goods trains in Punjab and Rajasthan the most. This comes at a time when the entire central government machinery is working to meet the growing demand for coal in the country.''

Another official informed that the agitating people were not farmers but brokers. He said the protesters sat on the tracks, affecting the movement of goods trains carrying coal. This affected the supply of coal to power stations.

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