Despite all the big talk about cooperative federalism, the BJP-led Central Government’s vindictive attitude towards Bangla continues.
During his department’s Budget speech in the Assembly on Monday, July 8, the Power Minister said the Centre has failed to make the Katwa power project operational despite the State Government providing land for the same.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had taken initiative to arrange land for the 1,320 MW power project, but the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is yet to take any major step in this regard. Even the officers who were posted there have been withdrawn.
The minister also pointed out the Centre’s apathetic attitude towards other power projects in the State.
Despite the State Government’s writing to the Centre, the latter has not issued clearance for various coal mines, including Barjora I and II, and Deocha-Pachami, which holds one of the biggest reserves in Asia. The coal from these mines would go a long way in supporting the thermal power requirement of the State.
However, despite these unavoidable shortcomings, the minister pointed out later in reply to a question, since March 2017, the State has not hiked the price of electricity despite recommendation by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, proving the Trinamool Congress Government’s commitment to serve the people to the best of its capacity.
To compensate for the loss due to not hiking the rates, the State Government has been giving the Power Department a subsidy of Rs 1,000 crore.
Source: Millennium Post