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          Patna, Dec 18 (IANS) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar   Modi Saturday demanded coal linkages for thermal power plants upcoming in the   state. "We demand that the central government provide us coal linkage   for upcoming thermal power plants in Bihar," Modi said in his address at the   two-day Bihar conclave that began here Saturday.            |  
  
      
	  
	  
	  
  Modi made it clear that   Bihar needs coal linkages, not coal mines.
 
 He said the state government   had requested the central government several times for providing coal linkage to   the proposed thermal power units but no concrete step was taken in this   connection so far.
 
 Bihar is to set up three new thermal power plants to   generate 3,960 MW of energy, an official said.
 
 The plants, of 1,320 MW   each, will be set up at Kajra in Lakhisarai, Piparpainti in Bhagalpur and Chusa   in Buxar districts. Besides, the state is planning to set up two more units of   250 MW capacity at Barauni thermal power plant.
 
 "All three power plants   will be facilitated through the Bihar Power Infrastructure Company," the   official said.
 
 While the state has a daily requirement of 2,000 MW, it   produces only 150-200 MW of power. The central government supplies around   1,000-1,200 MW.
 
 During the election campaign for the October-November   state assembly polls, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had promised to light up every   village in the power-starved state by 2015.
 
 Millions in Bihar are still   living in the lantern age as electricity is a luxury for people in most parts of   the state. Patna is an exception of sorts, but most small towns and district   headquarters are hit badly by the power shortage.
 
 
      
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