BHubaneswar: The Chamber of Commerce and Utkal Industry (UCCI) on Friday asked the state government to meet the requirements of local industries before allowing coal supply to other states throughout the country.
UCCI said the small and medium industries in this country faced shortages because more than 65% of 150 million tons were produced by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) provided outside the country.
In a letter to the Chairman of the Minister of Naveen Patnaik, President UCCI Brahma Mishra said the state government must communicate with the Coal Union Ministry to direct Mahanadi Coalfields Limited and Indian Coal Limited to increase coal supply to the local industry in the state so that the stock -out of the coal Avoided and the level of coal stocks that are safely maintained in critical units to prevent any possibilities in operation.
Odisha has 25% of state coal deposits.
At present, more than 65% of Odisha coal is supplied to power plants in other countries while the state-based industry faces a severe deficit and is forced to import coal and power.
“The lack of coal supply remains acute because the Odisha-based power plant (15,000 MW) requires coal 75-80 million tons per year, which is 50% of Odisha coal production, for cost-effective industrial operations,” said UCCI.