Power minister R K Singh told the media that the government is gearing up to increase the coal stock at power plants to 40 million tonnes (mt) during the monsoon season.

The minister said there are reserves of about 22.9 mt at the power plants right now.

The reserve stock at power plants was at 24 mt on April 1. On April 30, it came down to 19 mt, and on May 15, it came down to 15 mt. However, because of coal imports, it has increased to about 22.9 mt again, the minister said.

When asked if the government is planning to grow the buffer stock of coal predicting production and supply problems during the approaching rainy season, he said.

This happens every year during the monsoon season. Domestic coal production drops. During the July-September, daily demand will come down to 2.1 mt because the temperature will fall.

But at the same time, the domestic coal supply will also come down. So, the gap will be growing. That's why this import is happening. I believe the buffer should be at least in the capacity of 40 mt, the minister said.

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