Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave nod to the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. to set up a separate power trading company to sell the surplus power likely to be generated from the upcoming thermal plants in the state to other states. A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister in a meeting with the whole time director L&T Mr. SN Roy, who called on Mr. Badal to update him regarding the status of Rajpura Thermal Plant here at his official residence. Mr. Badal directed the Chairman of the PSPCL Mr. KD Chaudhri in the meeting to work out the modalities for establishing the power trading company so that it could be in place positively by September end this. Mr. Chaudhri apprised the Chief Minister that he had already done the desired homework in consultation with Principal Secretary Power Mr. Anirudh Tiwari and assured the Chief Minister to meet the deadline for setting up of power trading company as it was a highly professionalized and technical task to be undertaken with due care and deliberation by hiring the services of financial experts and technocrats.
Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Roy apprised the Chief Minister that he had personally monitored the progress of thermal plant at Rajpura yesterday, adding Mr. Roy said he was fully satisfied with the pace of civil works being executed there and the plant would be made operational by December 2013. He envisaged personal intervention of the Chief Minister asking the GoI to ensure coal supply from Pachwara block or permit them to import coal in order to supply cost effective power to the consumers. Mr.Roy also requested the Chief Minister to direct the PSPCL for the expeditious extension of MoU for 3rd unit till July, 2014.
Responding to the issue raised by Mr. Roy regarding the assured coal supply for the power generation, the Chief Minister reiterated that he would soon take up the matter with Ministry of Coal, GoI to ensure uninterrupted power generation at Rajpura thermal plant. Meanwhile, Mr. Badal asked him to approach the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) for seeking approval for differential coal supply of 25-30% as it had already permitted L&T to utilized 15% imported coal being supplied from Coal India Ltd. Mr. Badal also asked him to further explore other options for importing coal to ensure timely power generation. The Chief Minister assured Mr. Roy that the issues brought to this notice would be addressed on the top priority so that the thermal plant at Rajpura could be made operational on its schedule.
On the issue of outstanding payment for the memorials of War Memorial at Chhappar Chiri (Mohali), Chhota Ghallughara Martyrs Memorial at Kanuwan Chamb (Gurdaspur) and Wadda Ghallughara Martyrs Memorial at Kup Rohira (Sangrur), the Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr. SS Channy to amicably sort out the issue with the concerned officials of L&T for releasing the payment forthwith.
The Chief Minister also asked Mr. Roy to undertake the construction of three ultra-modern high security jails at Amritsar, Bathinda and Muktsar involving a cost of Rs. 400 crore besides the upcoming prestigious Freedom Martyrs' Memorial (Jang-e-Azadi) at Kartarpur near Jalandhar at a cost of Rs.200 crore as the L&T group was internationally acclaimed for construction and engineering marvels. Mr. Roy informed the Chief Minister that his team would thoroughly examine the design and pattern of the jails as well as Jang-e-Azadi memorial besides mutually deliberating upon the terms and conditions of these projects.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included: Principal Secretary Power Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Chief Minister’s Special Principal Secretaries Mr. KJS Cheema and Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Chairman PSPCL Mr. KD Chaudhri, Member General PSPCL Mr. GS Chhabbra, Chief Executive Nabha Power Ltd. Mr. Upinder Singh and General Manager Nabha Power Ltd. Mr. JS Gill.