Arjun Munda

Ranchi, Oct. 29: Chief minister Arjun Munda today demanded 50 per cent share of electricity produced by ultra mega power projects in Jharkhand for the state and pressed for early completion of the North Karanpura Thermal Power Project at a meeting with Union power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in Delhi.

At present, the state receives only 10 per cent of the power produced by public sector undertakings and private companies at normal rates. In some places, power producers also supply electricity to consumers living in their catchment areas at standard rates. For additional supply, the consumers are charged commercial rates.

At today’s meeting, Munda argued that almost all the ultra mega power projects across the country were availing of Jharkhand’s resources. Therefore, it was only fair on the part of the Union power ministry and the producers concerned to give Jharkhand its “due share”, at least in the plants based in the state.

Besides, power supply in Jharkhand was poor, he pointed out.

“I was told that work on the North Karanpura Power Project was not making any significant progress because of the presence of huge coal reserves in the project area. I suggested the Centre work out viable scientific alternatives, as coal was abundant in Jharkhand. My government will lend all possible help. Shinde was convinced and gave me assurances,” Munda told The Telegraph.

Munda, who heads the state energy department, had declared after taking over as chief minister last month that turning Jharkhand into a power hub was one of his priorities. He had also initiated steps to give a facelift to Jharkhand State Electricity Board, asking it to minimise losses.

The stalled North Karanpura Power Project, the onus of which lies with the National Thermal Power Corporation, is due to function with three coal-fired super critical units in Hazaribagh and Chatra districts, with a capacity of 600MWs each. If the plants become functional, it could boost the state’s economy.

Other demands made today by the chief minister included ensuring restructured accelerated power supply to even those places with a population of less than 30,000, installation of heavy transformers in villages under Rajv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana, financial assistance for reducing transmission and distribution losses.

“The Union minister gave me positive assurances on all issues and also promised to set up DVC’s (Damodar Valley Corporation) office in Ranchi at the earliest. In fact, Shinde himself had laid the foundation of a 10-storied DVC building in Ranchi in 2007,” Munda added.

The chief minister was scheduled to meet Union road and surface transport minister Kamal Nath in the evening.