india-short-of-coal-accepts-power-minister-politicos-from-rival-parties-slam-govt

India short of coal, accepts power minister; politicos from rival parties slam govt

New Delhi, July 17 (ANI): India's power and coal minister Piyush Goyal has admitted that the country is running dangerously low on coal that has led to a shortage of power supply in many parts in the country. Even though Goyal passed the buck onto the previous UPA government, Congress leader Ambika Soni said that rather than blaming the UPA, the current government should take action to solve the problem. Last week Goyal urged power companies to raise thermal coal imports after saying that 26 out of 100 coal-based power plants in India had "super critical" stocks. However, opposition parties are urging the government to use up saved coal in India rather than importing it to provide cheap electricity to people. Jul 17, 2014
Coal

Electricity Will Continue to Become Costlier in India?

India is not only facing shortage of coal at power plants, it's domestic production of the fuel has also declined. It will now have to depend on the imported raw material which is likely to hike the power tariff sharply. Jul 17, 2014
M Venkaiah Naidu

Kerala Leads among States in India's Urban Growth

India's urban population has increased by nine crore in the last one decade. Kerala marked fast urbanisation among states with 21.70 per cent growth and with 39 per cent urban growth Daman and Diu leads among union territories of the country. Jul 16, 2014
poor-monsoon-adversely-hits-farmers

Poor monsoon adversely hits farmers

Amritsar, July 13 (ANI): Uncertain over progress of the delayed monsoons, farmers are adversely hit due to scanty rains, which raise concerns of a first drought in five years. Reportedly, on an average Punjab receives an annul rainfall of 580 mm of which about 80 per cent is confined to the months of June, July, August and September. Unfortunately, the monsoons are delayed this year and there has been no shower in recent time. A farmer, Jaipal Singh said that most of their working is dependent on the heavy downpour in the monsoon months. In order to maintain their crops, farmers have to use generator sets for irrigation. Adding to the farmer’s woe, Punjab Electricity Board has failed to provide them with uninterrupted electricity supply of 8 hours as promised. Farmers have to spend extra on diesel to run pumps. Jul 13, 2014
delhi-swelters-under-record-heat-wave-with-no-sight-of-monsoon

Delhi swelters under record heat wave with no sight of monsoon

New Delhi, July 13 (ANI): Delhi is sweltering under the longest heat wave on record, triggering widespread breakdowns in the supply of electricity with no scope of monsoon in the days to come. Temperatures in the capital reached up to a maximum of 41 degrees centigrade in the past week. High temperatures, coupled with frequent power outages, have put the residents in misery. Tourism industry is badly hit as travellers prefer to visit cooler places to get some respite from the scorching heat. Meteorological Department officials attribute the delay in monsoons to the western disturbances in north India. But they are optimistic about the arrival of monsoons in the near future. Jul 13, 2014