Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday evaded question on coal shortage, which has emerged as one of the causes of current power crisis. He assured that within a week power supply in excess of demand would be available.
During a press conference held at the Mantralaya, the CM refused to make any specific comments when questioned on issue of coal shortage and its being cause of power crisis. Chouhan said that the important thing was that within one week, 8000 megawatt (MW) power supply would be ensured against the current demand of 7000MW.
The CM's response assumes importance on the backdrop that during the past few years during the UPA government in centre, Chouhan had made a lot of noise about discrimination with Madhya Pradesh as regards coal supply. He even undertook a foot march in 2009 to protest the short supply of coal to state.
On Saturday however, the CM said that he did not wanted to go into the reasons of the power shortage. He said according to information with him, the state would normally have a power demand of 4000MW during this time of year and had made preparations for supply of up to 6000MW.
"Due to poor rain and unexpected increase in the sowing area of paddy, the demand went up to 7000MW," he said. The CM added that during the last two days situation has improved and it would further improve in coming days so much so that within a week 8000MW of power would be available.
{{/usCountry}}"Due to poor rain and unexpected increase in the sowing area of paddy, the demand went up to 7000MW," he said. The CM added that during the last two days situation has improved and it would further improve in coming days so much so that within a week 8000MW of power would be available.
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