Maharashtra May Request Cil To Cut Prices

Concerned over the possibility of flight of industrial investment to some other states, the government of Maharashtra is trying to reduce the cost of electricity for power-guzzling units and also contemplating moving Coal India Ltd (CIL) for reducing coal prices.

This was disclosed by the Maharashtra Minister for Mines and Labour, Satish Chaturvedi, at an interactive meeting organised by the Vidarbha Economic Development (VED) Council here.

Chaturvedi said the state government was alert to the difficulties being faced by heavy power consuming industries and was considering introducing a unique slab system for such units. He said under the proposed new system there will be a cut-off point in energy consumption for certain industrial consumers after which electricity charges will start to taper.

Chaturvedi said the state government had also written to CIL requesting that coal prices be reduced thereby permitting the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) to reduce power tariff.

He said the state government may also ask the Centre and the CIL to release coal blocks for Maharashtra State Mining Corporation (MSMC) which could then enter into joint ventures with the private sector for mining the natural resource.

He said the mineral wealth in Vidarbha was