Jaipur: Rajasthan's power plants are facing a critical situation due to depleting coal stocks and inadequate supply. In response to the Chhattisgarh government's opposition to the allocation of new mining reserve areas in Hasdeo Arand, the Rajasthan government has filed a counter-affidavit in the Supreme Court, advocating for the continuation of mining activities. The ongoing case revolves around the allocation of the Parsa East and Kanta Basan (PEKB) coal block, which has sparked contentious debates among various stakeholders.

An official stated that the PEKB block was awarded to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) to produce 4,300 megawatts of electricity. However, delays in forest clearance and permission to fell trees have impeded progress, with protests at the site leaving approximately 91 out of the allocated 135 hectares for mining undeveloped.

The Rajasthan government's affidavit emphasizes the crucial role of the PEKB mine in meeting the state's increasing power demand. It holds a substantial coal deposit of 350 million tonnes, sufficient to meet the entire coal demand of linked power plants with a capacity of 4,340 MW for nearly two decades, as mentioned in the document.

The affidavit further asserts that RVUNL has obtained all necessary statutory permissions and clearances for the Parsa Coal Block, including forest clearance, land acquisition, and tree felling permissions. The state-owned company has invested significant resources and made payments to the government and individual landowners for the responsible development of the coal block.

The Rajasthan government highlights the potential consequences of canceling allocations and halting operations at the PEKB, Parsa Coal Block, and Kente Extension coal block. These mines play a critical role in ensuring sustained power generation and meeting Rajasthan's increasing electricity demands.

Regarding concerns raised by the Chhattisgarh government about human-elephant conflict, biodiversity richness, and hydrological importance in the Hasdeo Arand area, the Rajasthan government rebuts, stating that mining operations in the PEKB mine have been conducted responsibly and safely, taking into account the existing approvals and recommendations granted by the Chhattisgarh government itself.

Rajasthan had planned to commission 4,320 MW of thermal power generation capacity, investing Rs 40,000 crore, relying on committed coal supplies from Chhattisgarh. However, this ambitious plan could collapse, exacerbating the state's power crisis, as over 40% of Rajasthan depends on coal from Parsa mines for electricity.