Kolkata, Aug 28 (IANS): West Bengal Power Minister Manish Gupta on Friday heaped praise on union Power Minister Piyush Goyal, notwithstanding the political rivalry between his party Trinamool Congress and the BJP.

Terming Goyal's ascendancy as a "breath of fresh air", Gupta said: "There has been a huge change in policy and planning. We need to involve all minds -- users, consumers -- to improve the power sector and this is exactly what he has done. This has been a notable achievement."

The state minister, also a senior Trinamool leader, lauded Goyal's leadership saying it has resulted in rise in coal production in the state-owned coal behemoth Coal India.

"It was widely said that Coal India needs to step up production and this has been done. He has made remarkable progress," he said.

Gupta said the Centre's vision about solar power and the rise in economic growth is in sync with the vision of the Mamata Banerjee-led state government.

"The Centre feels India needs to make a quantum jump and this is exactly what our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said for West Bengal."

He said Bhutan can be a key partner for India for hydel power projects.