Power output up 22% in 100 days; committed to 24x7 supply: Goyal

Says ministry is aiming to rationalise supplies by supplying fuel nearest to the plant as well as implement long term measures to raise output

Playing down on coal shortages at some power stations, Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal today said the government in 100 days had slogged the system to produce nearly 22% more electricity and is on track to provide 24x7 power to all in five years.

Blaming the policies of previous government for domestic production not meeting power plant requirement, Goyal said his ministry is aiming to rationalise supplies by supplying fuel nearest to the plant as well as implement long term measures to raise output.

Task force for greater surveillance of coalfields will be formed and the government will also look at appointment of Coal India head breaking from the present system of PSEB appointment to bring greater professional efficiency.

The minister said that the government will bring in a statutory and robust coal regulator to replace the proposed Coal Regulatory Authority.

"A non-statutory regulator was proposed which in my opinion has no meaning because it had no teeth to implement any of its decisions, therefore we are not pursuing a non-statutory coal regulator," Goyal said.

Blaming the previous regime Goyal said, "The fact the coal production has not increased is the reality that I have inherited and I cannot increase coal production in 100 days."

He added that the government with available resources was able to increase power supply by 22% which is only coal based.

This government is committed to ensure affordable 24x7 power for all homes, industrial and commercial establishments and adequate power for farms, within five years.

The minister also assured that there will be speedy action after the Supreme Court's decision on illegal coal mine allocation to get the process rolling and enhance coal output to 1 billion tonne by 2019.

Several steps are being taken to resolve stranded gas based capacity (24,148 MW) issue and plans have been made to use gas primarily to meet peak load demand since electricity generation can be ramped up at a short notice, Goyal said.