AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on Friday alleged that the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) was incurring huge losses because of import of low calorific value coal from Indonesia at a higher cost.
In a statement here, she said more than 6 million tonnes of coal of low calorific value was being imported by the Board every year from Indonesia at a cost of $120 per tonne, while the Free On Board (FOB) value of high calorific value coal from Indonesia was only $65.
“Adding shipping and freight charges of $20, the landed cost of high calorific coal from Indonesia is only $ 85. The cost of coal from South Africa is even lower. By purchasing low calorific coal at 35 dollars more than the cost of high-calorific coal, the TNEB is being subjected to further loss,” she explained.
Ms. Jayalalithaa said in rupee terms the loss would be Rs. 1,575 per tonne.
“The total import at Tuticorin and Ennore is more than 6 million tonnes annually. So the excess amount being shelled out by the TNEB every year by importing coal at a higher price is Rs. 1,000 crore. No wonder the TNEB is incurring huge losses,” she added.
Accusing Electricity Minister Aroct N. Veeraswami and officials of making contrary statements on the existing power crisis in the State, she said no concerted effort had been made to augment resources.
“On March 18 this year, Mr. Veeraswami claimed that the 2-hour power cut implemented all over the State, except in Chennai, would continue only till May. A week later, the Chief Secretary claimed that the power situation would not ease till 2011. Four days later came the announcement that the 2-hour cut is going to be increased to 3 hours,” she said.
