Calcutta, Feb. 10 :    Calcutta, Feb. 10:  The West Bengal government has decided to transfer power plants under Durgapur Projects Ltd (DPL) to West Bengal Power Development Corp (WBPDCL) as part of its reforms drive in the sector. Sources said state power minister Mrinal Banerjee has already communicated to DPL employees about the move to dissociate the power plants. DPL comprises a coke oven plant, by-products plant, gas grid project, thermal power plants and water works. Confirming the move, senior power department officials said, 'It is a judicious move to transfer the power plants of DPL to WBPDCL. This will enable DPL emphasise more on distribution and other activities. Moreover, these reforms have to be undertaken if we have to get funds under the accelerated power development programme.' The government has adopted a similar course of action in the case of the West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB), taking away the Santaldih and Bandel thermal power stations from its fold and transferring it to WBPDCL. DPL is currently generating power from its six power units with an aggregate capacity of 395 MW and distributing the same to consumers of various categories located in its command areas at Durgapur, while the surplus power is transmitted to the West Bengal State Electricity Board's grid. Out of the six power plants, two are 30 MW each, three are 77 MW each and one is of 110 MW. The power plants have recently undergone a modernisation programme, funded by a Power Finance Corporation loan of Rs 286.86 crore. The present capacity of DPL's coke oven plant is 27,000 tonnes, which can be taken up to 40,000 tonnes. 'The plant is currently producing low metallurgical coke by using imported coal from Australia and China,' sources said. The by-product plant produces benzene, coal, gas and tar. However, the employees fear they face an uncertain future if the power plants are transferred to WBPDCL. Umapada Jana of Intuc union said: 'The government has failed to sort out the issue of how to handle the employees involved in the Santaldih and Bandel power stations. It has not yet spelt out how many people will remain with WBSEB and how many will be absorbed into WBPDCL following the transfer of the power plants. Therefore, the fate of DPL's employees following the transfer of power plants to WBPDCL is also uncertain.'