Some reports indicate that around 8,500 MW of gas-based power plants are lying idle in the country owing to non-availability of fuel. A high-powered ministerial panel rejected a proposal to cut natural gas supplies to urea plants and divert that fuel to power companies.
Meanwhile, Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that both fertiliser and power sectors are vital for the economy. Both the sectors are fundamental to the economy, "but it cannot be at the cost of one for another," he said. The minister also said that his ministry is working with oil and fertiliser ministries for developing a modality to make available fuel to gas-based power plants.
Recently, an Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) headed by Defence Minister AK Antony rejected the proposal that would have resulted in fall in urea production during peak kharif season. Following this, fertiliser plants would continue to enjoy top priority in receipt of scarce natural gas.
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