Exclusive | 'We Had Asked States To Increase Coal Stocks, But They Did Not,' Says Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi

Talking to ABP News, Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi said excessive rain is the reason behind the coal supply shortage and the second reason is the price of imported coal.

Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi

New Delhi: Several states in the country have complained of a reduction in coal supply. Union Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi had a special interaction with ABP News on the current situation. He said excessive rain is the reason behind the coal supply shortage and the second reason is the price of imported coal. 

"I don't want to make any allegations but we had urged the states from January to July to take coal from us and increase the stock because it is difficult when it rains but they did not do so. While they didn't have to pay, they would get coal on credit," the Union Minister said. 

He said stocks will start rising in the next 15 to 20 days. The minister also informed that many states have captive coal mines, which have not been used.

Pralhad Joshi said the price of imported coal was about $60 a tonne, which has just increased from about $190 to $200 a tonne. 30 to 35 percent of the power produced through imported-based power plants is lying closed.

At the same time, he said that the central government has been providing more than 19 lakh tonnes of coal for two days, which is higher than the demand. From October 21, there has been a demand of 20 lakh tonnes, which the Centre will provide.

"We supplied 1.94 million tonnes of coal yesterday, the highest supply of domestic coal in history," the Union Minister said.

"The coal stock which was 15-20 days earlier has decreased but yesterday the stock of coal has increased. I believe that coal stocks will increase, there is no panic situation," he added.