Date:30/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/30/stories/2008073057800400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

YSR seeks coal block for APMDC

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister writes to Manmohan Singh on the issue
Dr. Reddy highlights the increased coal needs of the State

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy has requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to facilitate allotment of Tadicherla coal block II spread over Karimnagar and Warangal districts, to the State-owned Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC).

In a letter to the Prime Minister on Tuesday, Dr Reddy said the APMDC had already applied for allotment of this block, responding to a notification issued by the Union Coal Ministry.

Needs highlighted

The Chief Minister highlighted the increased coal needs of Andhra Pradesh in the light of the new thermal power projects planned to meet the growing power demand.

The State was forced to resort to load-shedding to the tune of 22 million units a day as only 80 mu could be generated by the existing plants as against a demand of 196 mu.

Moreover, he said, the State Government was promoting mineral-based industries like alumina/aluminium plants, titanium sponge/metal and steel plants.

In all, 83 special economic zones were coming up in the State. More cement units were in the pipeline while the existing cement factories increased their capacities.

All this required coal as fuel, he said, and urged the Prime Minister to help in faster development of the State by facilitating the allotment of Tadicherla II to the APMDC.