All coal-based power generation plants in Delhi are non-functional: Delhi Govt

"All coal-based power plants in Delhi are non-functional. Delhi Government buys electricity from power plants that run on coal located outside Delhi," he said in a clarification.

The Power Minister also claimed that the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) provided only 50 per cent of the power supply to Delhi today.

"It (NTPC) has to give 3,500 Mega Watt (MW) power to Delhi under the power purchase agreement, but today it gave only half of it, i.e. 1,750 MW. Delhi has gas-powered electric power plants but the Central Government has stopped giving gas to Delhi at a controlled rate because of which the Delhi Government has to buy gas at market rates to generate electricity. This has increased the cost of power generation to the Delhi Government. Despite this, there has been no power cut in the Capital and the Delhi Government is ensuring 24×7 electricity to the people," he said.

Jain also alleged that the NTPC, which is the largest producer of electricity, has halved the power generation for the last few days.

"They have done this not for one plant but for all the plants of the country. Chief Ministers of 5 to 6 states have written letters to the Prime Minister on this issue. Be it Punjab, Andhra Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh power cuts are being imposed everywhere in the country except Delhi. We are forced to buy electricity at a high price because NTPC is providing only half the agreed electricity to Delhi,” he said.

The minister also asked the Central Government whether there is really a coal shortage in the country or is it deliberately cutting power.

“On one hand the Central Government says that there is no shortage of coal and on the other hand they say that the responsibility of coal will now be handled by the Union Minister. The Central Government should tell whether there is a shortage of coal or not or is it being done intentionally!” he added.