Minister Shivakumar blames Centre for coal shortage

Bengaluru: Energy Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday accused the Centre of step-motherly treatment over coal allocation despite the state reeling under severe shortage.

Speaking to media persons, the minister said only 63.09 lakh metric tonnes was supplied out of allocated 119.57 lakh tonnes between April and December 2017.

He said Karnataka has estimated a coal requirement of 55.07 lakh metric tonnes and expects 45.22 lakh metric tonnes, leaving the state with a shortfall of 12.88 lakh metric tonnes between January and March 2018.

"Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and I have tried to meet Union Coal Minister Piyush Goyal several times. The government has written 55 letters seeking increase in coal supply. Once, I went to see Goyal with an appointment. After waiting for more than an hour, I had to return disappointed because he didn't meet me," he added.

The state government is considering importing coal, Shivakumar said. "The government can directly import 35 per cent of foreign coal and the tender process has been started. It is before the MSTC Limited, which is an autonomous body of the Centre."