The Hindu : National : Gujarat to get 1,900 MW plant

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Friday, Dec 01, 2006
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Gujarat to get 1,900 MW plant

nas Dasgupta

Agreement signed with PFC

GANDHINAGAR: A power purchase agreement was signed between the Central sector Power Finance Corporation and the Gujarat Energy Development Corporation for the supply of 1,900 MW power to the State from the 4,000 MW-Mundra Ultra Mega Power Project in Kutch district.

The power to be supplied from the project would help Gujarat not only to overcome the shortfall of about 1,500 MW but would also enable it to become a power-surplus State at the present rate of consumption.

The agreement was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, the Union Energy Secretary, R. V. Sahi, and the Power Finance Corporation chairman and chief executive officer, V. K. Garg.

Mr Modi criticised the UPA Government at the Centre for its alleged step-motherly treatment to Gujarat in respect of power allocation. Pointing out that demand for power was increasing at the rate of eight to ten per cent per year due to ``rapid development," Mr Modi said the Centre had unilaterally withdrawn 200 mw from its allocated quota of power from the Central sector projects and diverted it to Maharashtra.

It had also shifted Gujarat from the western power grid to the `unstable' northern power grid, which also was causing problems to the State in getting steady power supply.

The Minister of State for Energy, Saurabh Patel, claimed that Mr Sahi while appreciating the State's achievements in the power sector and in carrying out other developmental project assured the Chief Minister that the Centre would extend all necessary co-operation for meeting the State's power requirement.

Invitation to visit Korea

The Korean Ambassador in New Delhi, Choi Jung-IL, on Wednesday called on Mr Modi and conveyed his country's eagerness to develop economic and commercial ties with Gujarat.

Mr Modi also accepted an invitation from the Korean Ambassador to visit Korea for experiencing the progress made by it in the industrial development, particularly in heavy equipment manufacturing and ship-building yard, where Gujarat had a lot of scope for co-operation and development.

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