PNS/
 
In a reprieve to Punjab, the Central Government has agreed to waive off the mandatory RSR (Rail-Sea-Rail) condition for coal supply from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) to Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL).
 
The approval came after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday called on the Union Power Minister.  Notably, Mann had raised the issue with the Power Minister during a meeting on December 9, 2022, and had also written to him in this regard.
 
“The Union Minister had apprised me that as far as transport of coal is concerned, the Government of India does not specify any particular route or port and transport is entirely the responsibility of the concerned States or Generators…The additional coal can be allotted to Punjab from MCL and if Punjab can transport it through any other mode, it is welcome to do so,” Mann informed after the meeting.
 
Flagging another issue, the Chief Minister urged RK Singh to augment supply of coal from Pachhwara Coal mine. “The case for enhancing coal supply from captive coal mines at Pachhwara (Central) is currently pending with the Ministry of Coal,” said Mann, adding that the Ministry of Power has already forwarded the case to the Ministry of Coal with positive recommendations and the matter is reportedly referred by Ministry of Coal to Ministry of Law for legal vetting. “I have sought the intervention of Union Power Minister for expediting the matter,” he added.
 
The Chief Minister also urged RK Singh to ask Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for procurement of 3000 MW of Renewable Energy-Round the Clock (RE-RTC) power for the State. “The PSPCL had communicated its in-principle approval to SECI in August 2022 to procure 3000 MW of RE-RTC power,” said Mann, adding that Punjab and Madhya Pradesh have complementarity in power demand and SECI was working on a joint proposal.
 
Demanding allocation of power from Coal-Based Central Sector Generating Stations (CGS) to PSPCL, the Chief Minister apprised RK Singh that there has been sharp increase in power demand since January due to failure of winter rains in Punjab.