Jharkhand govt initiative to increase electricity production

Jharkhand energy minister Rajendra Prasad Singh today said the state government has taken initiative to set up new power plants in the next couple of years.
Singh regretted that no a single MW was added in the electricity generation since the state was carved out of Bihar in 2000.
Claiming that the present coalition government is committed to improving the sector, Singh told reporters that the government has targeted to set up new power plants in two and half years time and has started work to achieve the goal.
The minister said a global tender has already been floated for new power plant of 1320 MW capacity in Patratu.

Around 12 players have participated in the bidding, which was likely to be finalised in a fortnight time, he said adding that the new plant would be set in the existing 6500 acres land of the Patratu Thermal Power Station.
The new plant would be set at a cost of Rs 8500 crore, he said.

Besides, the government has plan to set up another plant of the same capacity in the Patratu, he said adding that the government has plans to set power plant of 1320 MW at Tenughat and Garwah.
Singh said Jharkhand government was to get a grant of Rs 5710 crores from the Centre following the unbundling of Jharkhand State Electricity Board and Rs 1500 crore of the amount would be invested in the proposed Tenughat project.

Singh who is also the Jharkhand Health minister said to the health sector, the state cabinet has already given approval to appoint 878 doctors through public service commission while 200 doctors on contract have been absorbed recently.