Chouhan to resort 'Gandhigiri' to get MP's due quota of coal

Fed up with the Centre's alleged step-motherly treatment on the issue of allocation of quota of coal for its power plants, Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh will resort to Gandhigiri by walking from Sarni to Pathakheda coal mines on February 22 in protest.

"I am forced to undertake a padyatra (walking on foot) from Sarni to Pathakheda coal mines in Betul district to ensure that Madhya Pradesh gets its due quota of coal," Chouhan said on Tuesday, at a function.

"Instead of 15 lakh metric tonne, the state was getting only 11 lakh metric tonne of coal which is not sufficient resulting in less production of thermal power in the state," Chouhan said.

Though Madhya Pradesh produces large quantity of coal, it gets less quota of coal due to the faulty allocation policies of the Centre, he said.

After reaching Pathakheda coal mines he will lift the coal from his hands to register the state's protest.

However, the state is taking all possible steps to raise the production of power in the state on its own and results of the same would be visible soon, Chouhan added.