Govt may import coal for thermal plant

“We have no other alternative except direct import of coal since the Centre has not been providing coal linkage despite repeated requests,” Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said on Saturday. He was speaking to reporters at Melkunda (B) village, about 20 km from Gulbarga.

A memorandum of understanding had been entered into with the Chhattisgarh government two years ago for setting up of thermal power plant for Karnataka. It has not been possible to commence power generation due to non-cooperation of the Union government in providing coal linkage. “Hence, we will come out with a final decision on importing coal,” he said.

Yeddyurappa said he had asked the officers concerned to identify the agencies through which coal could be imported and the countries which supply coal.

Cost prohibitive

He said the Government would go ahead with the import even if it proved to be cost prohibitive, and hoped that the Union government would not come in the way of the proposal.

Accusing the Union government of being “insensitive” in fixing remunerative support prices for agriculture produce, Yeddyurappa said farmers were in distress due to unscientific minimum support price for their crops.