Got enough coal to meet demand, says Minister

Thangamani was replying to a question from ruling AIADMK MLA S Semmalai citing reports that the existing stock of coal would last only three days.  Semmalai said since the summer was on, there was no sufficient hydro electric power to supplement the losses. 

When he sought to know what efforts the electricity board had made to ensure adequate power supply, Thangamani said, “It is true that the reserve supplies reduced considerably and we had just enough coal for three days.” 

“Usually, we have coal supply to meet the power requirements for 15 days. So, we met the Union Power Minister RK Singh, who allowed us to import coal and we brought in 20 lakh tonnes from outside,” he added. 

Stating that the state has reserve stock of coal for five days, the Minister said, “With summer ending, wind power has also picked up and there will be no power shortage in the state.” The imported coal could be used later, he added.