New Delhi: Launching a vitriolic attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for not accepting there is a coal crisis, Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday accused the ruling dispensation at the Centre of “turning a blind eye” to every problem that could prove fatal for the country.
Alleging it clearly shows the Centre is making excuses to “run away” from the crisis, he compared the present situation with the oxygen crisis during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in April-May this year.
Sisodia alleged the Centre did not accept that there was a crisis when states and doctors said that there was a shortage of oxygen during the Covid second wave, PTI reported.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged the Centre had done the same thing when the country grappled under an oxygen shortage.
“They would not even accept that there is a problem. They try to prove states wrong instead,” he said.
Asserting the coal crisis can lead to a power crisis which could shut the country’s entire system, the Deputy Chief Minister said it can adversely impact industries.
Sisodia requested the Centre to realise the gravity of the situation and make efforts to solve the crisis.
“With folded hands, I request the Central government that please acknowledge this crisis. The Centre should show behaviour of cooperation and solve the coal crisis,” he said.
Some other states, including Punjab and Chhattisgarh, have also taken up the issue of coal supply with the Centre in recent days.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal earlier on Saturday said Delhi could soon face a power shortage with the coal crisis across the country affecting supply at power plants that supply electricity to the capital as well.
Kejriwal has written to Prime Minister Modi urging him to intervene and ensure adequate supply of coal to thermal power plants providing electricity to Delhi.
“Delhi could face a power crisis. I am personally keeping a close watch over the situation. We are trying our best to avoid it. In the meanwhile, I wrote a letter to Hon'ble PM seeking his personal intervention,” Kejriwal tweeted.
Earlier in the day, Union Power Minister R.K. Singh rubbished claims of power crisis in the country.
The bureaucrat-turned-politician said there is no need to panic and added there is enough coal reserve for power production.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi on his part said the “thermal power plants have rolling stock being replenished with daily supply”.
“With withdrawal of monsoon, coal dispatches are set to rise in coming days, increasing coal stocks. Reiterating, there's sufficient coal stock, don't fall for fear-mongering,” he added, ANI reported.