Chennai, July 9 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Saturday demanded from the central government the full allotted quota of coal for the state's power stations.


Tamil Nadu Minister for Electricity Natham R. Viswanathan here raised with union Minister of State for Coal Pratik Prakashbapu Patil the issue of inadequate quantity and poor quality of coal supplied by Coal India Ltd. to the state's power stations, a statement issued by Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. (NLC) said.

Viswanathan explained to the central minister the grim power situation in Tamil Nadu and insisted on supply of the full quota of coal, as per the fuel supply agreement with coal companies, to the state's thermal power stations.

Viswanathan also requested Patil to ensure regular coal supply to the upcoming Mettur and North Chennai power stations.

The state power minister also sought Patil's intervention to allot coal linkages of about 16 million tonnes for the 12th and the 13th Five Year Plan power projects and allocation of a captive coal block for state units.

Patil told Viswanathan that he would direct Coal India to ensure supplies for the existing power stations as per the allotted quality.

In respect of upcoming power projects in the state, Patil said he would direct Coal India to ensure a supply of at least 50 percent of the allotted quantity.