Odisha CM meets Modi, demands more coal blocks for state PSUs

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
New Delhi, Apr 12: 

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his 7, Race Course Road residence in New Delhi and discussed various key issues pertaining to the state including allocation of more coal blocks to state run PSUs.

“I just had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I sought his intervention on several matters which include bridge linkage of coal for Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited (OPGC), early initiation of bidding process for Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) at Bedabahal in Sundargarh and allocation of an alternate block including Tentuloi Coal Block for Odisha Thermal Power Corporation Limited (OTPC). Also, the allocation of two more coal blocks for Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and earmarking of more coal blocks for auction for non-regulative sector was discussed,” said Patnaik speaking to reporters after the meeting.

Patnaik further demanded conditional environmental clearance for mining projects in Odisha where final reports by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute are pending and sharing of Green Cess with the State Government at a ratio of 60:40.

“The Prime Minister appreciated our concerns and he assured me to look into these matters at an early date,” he added.

Interestingly, Patnaik did not take up the Kalahandi wagon factory or the drought compensation issue during the meeting with Modi.

“I did not raise these issues during the meeting. I have written a letter to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu about that,” said Patnaik referring to the Narla wagon factory issue.