Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Apr 21: “Congress is needlessly making propaganda throughout the state of shortage of coal and deficit of electricity,” said minister Sunil Kumar.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, April 20 in the city, Sunil said, “Priority is given to keep coal in stock in order to prevent any shortage of electricity during summer months. Moreover, more than half of the requirement of electricity in Karnataka is generated through solar and wind energy sources. So there is no point in the fake story of coal shortage created by Congress.

“The centre supplied 13 to 14 rack coal to Karnataka every day. This is enough to cater to the demands of all electricity generating power plants of the state. At present the demand of electricity is 10400 MW. In March 2021, highest ever demand of 14800 MW electricity was supplied without any issue. So how it is possible that there will be coal shortage during normal demand season like now?

“If there is interruption in the electricity supply in any district, it is due to the issue in supply and not coal shortage. In addition, the state is receiving good rains for the past few days. Due to this, the demand of power to run agricultural pumpsets is reduced. We have stopped producing electricity at the Ballari and Raichur thermal power plants as the demand is low and not because of coal shortage. Every day, 7000 MW of solar and wind mill power is generated in the state. There is no question of power shortage at all,” he said.