The gap of over 1,200 MW between demand and supply of power in Madhya Pradesh is set to widen with its three thermal power stations facing severe shortage of coal.

'At least three thermal stations in the state are facing severe shortage of coal despite lifting of full stock supplied by the centre,' the state government said in a statement Saturday.

Such a situation has arisen because the union coal ministry sanctioned far less coal to the state for the April-June quarter, the statement said.

It added that the state has made fervent appeals to the central government to increase the quota of coal for thermal power station but to no avail.

'The state is in regular contact with coal companies, railway and the central government to ensure required quantity of coal for the thermal stations at Sarni, Birsinghpur and Amarkantak but to no avail', the statement said.

The statement said 120,000 tonnes of coal was supplied to Chachai-based Amarkantak thermal station against the monthly requirement of 190,000 tonnes; 575,000 tonne coal supplied to Sanjay Gandhi thermal station at Birsinghpur against the requirement of 680,000 tonnes and 575,000 tonnes to Satpura thermal station at Sarni against the demand of 660,000 tonnes.

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Suresh Pachouri Thursday said the state was not able to lift the entire quota of coal allotted to it for thermal power stations and was unnecessarily blaming the central government for curtailment in the quota of coal.

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