Madhya Pradesh government has issued 700 crores tender to procure coal from foreign countries in order to meet the demand for power, particularly in the agriculture sector. There is a demand for 12,000 MW of power in MP, but the MP power distribution company can only supply 10,500 MW.
"The power department officers decided to import coal for the Rabi season because demand will rise to 15,000 MW. The state government cannot risk upsetting farmers because the assembly election is next year," said an officer.
On behalf of the MP government, the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPCL) will purchase 7.5 lakh metric tonnes of coal.
The daily coal requirement in MP is 58,000 MT, but the four power plants only receive 50,000 MT on average. "Poor or average quality coal is being supplied, resulting in more ash." The coal, which will most likely come from Malaysia and Australia, will produce less ash. "Because it requires more heat to generate power, the thermal power plant authorities will only mix 10% imported coal," said another officer.
"The imported coal will be used for 10% blending," said Power Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Dubey, "and if more coal is required for smooth power generation."
Currently, the state is experiencing daily power cuts ranging from 4 to 8 hours, particularly in rural Madhya Pradesh. During the power outage, a video of Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Minister Kamal Patel and Power Minister Pradhyuman Singh Tomar went viral, in which Patel was seen saying that if adequate power is not provided, a 4,000 crore crop could be damaged.
"If farmers have problems, they will cause problems for us (during the next assembly elections)," the minister is heard saying in the video.
"We are facing power cuts for 4-8 hours daily," said a farmer leader from Malwa, Paramjeet Singh. “Farmers are being forced to recall the days of Digvijaya Singh's government, when unannounced power outages were common. If things do not improve, the BJP will face electoral consequences because farmers are struggling in the scorching heat."
However, Power Minister Pradhyuman Singh stated that the state will not be short of electricity. "We've gathered 30 lakh MT of coal for power generation. Farmers will have enough power during the Rabi season."
