State seeks Centre's nod to sell more power to B'desh

Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government has approached the Centre seeking its approval to sell additional 1,000 Mega Watt power to its neighbouring country Bangladesh. The Bengal government is presently selling 250 Mega Watt (MW) of power to Bangladesh.

"We have been selling 250 MW of power to Bangladesh and we want to sell additional 1,000 MW to our neighbouring country. We have approached the Union Power ministry for giving clearance to us to sell the additional power," state Power minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said on the sidelines of the inauguration of the 30th Industrial India Trade Fair (IITF) organised by Bengal National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BNCCI) at Park Circus Maidan. The minister maintained that Bengal is a power surplus state and is ready to sell power to Bangladesh.

A delegation from the state Power department had visited Bangladesh some months back who had given the feedback that Bangladesh is eager to take power from Bengal. "We had written to the Union government nearly two months back and are waiting for its nod," Chattopadhyay said.

According to the minister, the state is capable of selling power not only to Bangladesh but also to other neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bhutan but made it clear that this depends on the Centre's policy and approval.

He further added that sustainable power supply has been the main aim of the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her department is ready to supply power to any industrial venture in the state.

The IITF was inaugurated by Amir Hossain Amu, Minister of Industries, Bangladesh in the presence of Stella Budiriganya, Ambassador, Embassy of The Republic of Burundi in New Delhi.

Amu in his inaugural speech said that the country would buy additional power from India depending on the deficit situation. The fair will be held till January 1.