Punjab Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today held a special meeting with Railways Minister Mr. D.V. Sadananda Gowda here to seek regular coal to Punjab to ensure smooth and uninterrupted transplantation of paddy in the state. Badal, who also holds the Power portfolio, also sought uninterrupted coal supply from the enhanced coal allocation quota from Central Coal Field. The enhanced supply was approved recently by the coal ministry following a representation by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
The Deputy CM, who was accompanied by Secretary Power Mr. Anirudh Tewari and Chairman Powercom Mr. K.D. Chaudhary, briefed the minister about the constraints faced in transportation of coal to the State in rail wagons. He also pointed out that Punjab was a major producer of paddy and that the entire transplantation operation could only be sustained by providing uninterrupted power supply to peasantry. He said halted coal supply could not only hit the paddy season but also lead to a crisis situation. Badal informed the Minister that next 15 days are very critical for the state in view of ongoing paddy season and late monsoon. He also demanded that the legitimate coal share of Punjab should also be made available to it without any cuts. He said the State was also in need of additional coal linkage for the Lehra and Bathinda Thermal Plants and Railway should ensure mandatory coal supply besides accelerating the coal transportation from mines to rail head.
Extending gratitude on behalf of Punjab Government, the Deputy CM thanked Mr. Gowda for announcing new trains for Punjab including Delhi-Bathinda Shatabadi, Saharsa-Amritsar Jan Sadaharan Express, Nagpur-Amritsar AC Express weekly, Ferozepur-Chandigarh Express and Delhi-Pathankot high speed train. Mr. Badal told the minister that Punjab had been discriminated against by the earlier UPA government which did not meet any of its needs for new rail projects.After hearing the demands of the Deputy CM, Mr. Gowda issued an on the spot directive for regular coal supply through railway rakes to Punjab besides ensuring best possible support and cooperation to Punjab from the Ministry. The Minister also asked Mr. D.P. Pande, Member Traffic to resolve the issues as early as possible so that the farmers would not have to suffer in the ongoing paddy season. Prominent amongst those present in the meeting Mr. Anirudh Tewari, Secretary Power, Mr. K.D. Chaudhary, Chairman Powercom, Dr. V. Ponnuraj, PS to Railways Minister.