CHANDIGARH: Amid power crisis , PSEB Engineers Association has also served notice on PSPCL management regarding the resumption of agitation.
from October 22.
The engineer's demands were the implementation of new scales as per recommendations of the wage formation committee from October 2021
and disbursal of Rs 5500/- allowance per month in lieu of initial pay to eligible assistant engineers and other issues.But to date, nothing has been done by the management so the association has decided to resume the agitation.
On the coal front,a number of states across the country are facing power shortages due to less generation from their thermal plants in absence of adequate coal stock. The power cuts of different durations have been imposed in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and many other states.
All these thermal plants failed to build adequate coal-stock before the onset of the monsoon. Some states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, UP, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh were not getting enough coal as they have not paid their dues to coal companies.
It may be mentioned that the dues towards coal India (CIL) exceeds Rs.21000 crore.The imported coal has become costly and supply was also restricted
during the covid period.
All private coal-based plants have 1.5-day coal stock while state-owned plants have around four days of coal stock.
The coal rakes received are about half the daily requirement. Due to depleted coal stock, these plants are operating at less than 50% of their generation capacity.
The maximum demand is about 8850 MW and PSPCL is purchasing power on a day-ahead basis and also on a real-time basis. About 485 MW on real-time and 2600 on a day-ahead basis was purchased.
There is a shortage of 1000 MW during evening peak hours Power cuts ranging from three to six hours are being imposed in the state.