CM: Power crisis in state due to mismanagement of Cong govt

JAIPUR: In a bid to make Rajasthan self-reliant in the field of energy, the state government on Sunday signed five MoUs and a power purchase agreement for investment of Rs 1.60 lakh crore for the development of the energy sector, including power generation projects of more than 31,825 MW in the state.
Chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma, during the event, said the power system of the state collapsed and there was a severe power crisis due to the mismanagement of the previous government.He said that the state's discoms were on the verge of bankruptcy with a debt of Rs 88,700 crore and all the power companies had a total debt burden of more than Rs 1,39,200 crore. “A penalty of Rs 300 crore was also imposed on the power companies for not repaying the loan on time,” he said.
“Our thermal power stations were facing huge shortage of coal. This made the government buy electricity from the power exchange at expensive rates, which not only caused economic losses but also affected industrial development and agricultural production badly,” said Sharma.
The MoUs and a power purchase agreement were signed between three state power corporations and six central PSUs at the chief minister's office (CMO) on Sunday. Deputy chief minister Diya Kumari and chief secretary Sudhansh Pant were also present at the event.
Union coal and mines minister Pralhad Joshi, addressing the program virtually, said that at present coal was being produced in abundance in the country. “We will soon achieve the historic target of producing one billion tonnes of coal,” he said. Joshi said that for the first time in the country, potash mining was being planned in Rajasthan. The auction process of two mine blocks in Hanumangarh and Bikaner had started.
Union energy minister Rajkumar Singh said with these MoUs, Rajasthan will become self-reliant in the energy sector. The chief minister said, “As soon as our government was formed, fruitful discussions were held with the Union coal minister and the Union energy minister, following which an adequate supply of coal to the state was ensured. At present, Rajasthan is getting 23 coal rakes per day.”
“Under these agreements, Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam signed MoUs with Coal India Limited, NTPC and NLC India for establishing thermal projects of 3325 MW capacity. Utpadan Nigam will also sign MoU with NTPC Green Energy for setting up 28500 MW renewable energy-based projects,” a statement issued by the CM’s office said.
“Similarly, an MoU with an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore was signed to strengthen transmission system in the state between Rajasthan Vidyut Prasaran Nigam and Power Grid Corporation. Besides, a power purchase agreement was signed between Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam and SJVN Green Energy for the supply of electricity through 600 MW solar energy projects. An investment of about Rs 1,60,000 crore was made on these new projects to be developed under the joint venture,” it added.