Meeting on power, coal sectors postponed

The meeting to review the performance of the power and coal sectors today, which was to be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has been postponed.

However, no new date for the meeting has been decided.

"The meeting which was to due to happen today evening has been postponed. But there is no information on the new date for the meet," a Power Ministry official told PTI.

The meeting was to take stock of the progress of the ultra-mega power projects (UMPPs) as well as the financial crisis being faced by several electricity distribution companies across states.

The meeting was expected to include review of the power capacity addition targets achieved between 2007-08 and 2010-11 and projects stranded due to coal shortages.

It was likely to be attended by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

The 4,000 MW Sarguja UMPP in Chhattisgarh awaits Coal Ministry's approval for the invitation of preliminary bids.

As per the guidelines of power sector regulator Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, the exploration work at the coal blocks allotted for the UMPPs should start within 730 days of the Coal Ministry’s approval. The deadline for the Sarguja coal blocks expires in March 2012.

This issue was also likely to be discussed in the meeting which has been postponed.