BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has requested Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to take steps for implementation of certain decisions earlier taken during a discussion between the two.“I request you to advise the authorities concerned to take the required steps to implement decisions expeditiously,” Naveen told Shinde in a letter on Saturday.Naveen said during the discussion, the Centre had promised to consider Odisha’s demand of additional 500 MW of power from NTPC, Kanhia, Stage-II. Centre should provide the additional power from unallocated share available with it, he added.The State had demanded the additional power at least for two years to meet the present power crisis in the State, he said.The Chief Minister also reminded Shinde about his assurance on NTPC’s commitment to set up a medical college and hospital at Sundargarh with 400 beds which could be upgraded to 500 beds subsequently.Further, Naveen said the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited as part of its corporate social responsibility should set up two ITIs at Angul and Sundargarh.The Chief Minister said to safeguard the interest of the State, NTPC should give an assurance as part of the PPA (power purchase agreement) for Gajamara project to develop its coal blocks in time to supply coal to the project. It should promise not to use imported coal or high-cost coal which might increase the variable cost and the unit price beyond the indicated price of Rs 2.71.“In the event of NTPC using imported/high-cost coal due to some circumstances, Odisha would have the option of not procuring the power and not paying the fixed charge,” he said.The State Government had reiterated its demand for an additional 700 MW power from Bedebahal UMPP (ultra mega power plant) in Sundargarh district towards 50 per cent of the home State’s share, he said.
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