Dark Diwali awaits Kolkata as power utility reels under debt
Saturday , Oct 10, 2009
Kolkata:
Indian Express correspondent

Kolkatans may well be in for a dark Diwali if the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) fails to clear its dues to Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL).

WBPDCL owes ECL around Rs 142 crore, and unless the former pays the amount, ECL officials have said they may be forced to sell their coal to companies that can pay up. “Rs 142 crore is no small amount and they owe this for a long time. We have heard they are supposed to pay a part of it sometime next week,” said Niladri Roy, General Manager of ECL.

He added: “With the company owing us such a big amount, it becomes difficult for us to pay our employees and miners. Other coalfields pay their miners on the first of each month, but we cannot do so.” The ECL officials claimed that in spite of the non-payment of dues, supply of coal to WBPDCL has not been stopped. It is even providing the rakes that WBPDCL has asked for.
WBPDCL officials said the reduced supply of coal from ECL was responsible for the shortage of power. “The supply had picked up during Durga Pujas and we were hoping that it would continue. But the supply has now dwindled and this is affecting generation. We are capable of generating far more,” said an official.
P K Chakrabarty, Director (HR) in WBPDCL, conceded that the company owed ECL a large amount. “But we do not think the amount is as high as Rs 142 crore. As soon as we get our payments we will pay up. The power situation is critical as we have no coal stock at most of our plants. We have already shut down one unit at Kolaghat,” he said.