New Delhi, Feb 28 (PTI) The tussle between Congress governments of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh over coal block allocation is likely to be resolved in the next few days with Rahul Gandhi meeting chief ministers of the two states.
According to sources, Gandhi met Ashok Gehlot and Bhupesh Baghel at his residence on Sunday and held discussions to find an amicable resolution to the issue.
Rajasthan is seeking allocation of Parsa coal block in Chhattisgarh for supply of coal, to which Chhattisgarh has raised certain concerns of tribals in the area.
Sources said both Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are aware of Chhattisgarh’s concerns and the party leadership is working to find a solution within the next few days.
Gehlot has already written letters to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, seeking her intervention for speeding up clearances for coal mining for power plants in Rajasthan ahead of the summer season.
Gehlot had said Rajasthan could face a severe power crisis due to non-availability of coal from the Chhattisgarh coal block and that may affect the party’s performance in upcoming elections Rahul Gandhi is also learnt to have discussed the issue of implementation of the old pension scheme for government employees in Chhattisgarh on the pattern of that implemented in Rajasthan.
Gandhi is keen that the Rajasthan model be implemented in other Congress-ruled states, but Chhattisgarh has expressed concerns due to its bad fiscal health.
Sources said the two chief ministers also discussed the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections during their meeting with Gandhi and also the party’s prospects in other states that will go to polls next year.
Gandhi is also learnt to have discussed the party’s nominees for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Chhattisgarh, with Baghel pressing for nominating local leaders to the upper house, the sources said.
There are two vacancies in the Rajya Sabha from Chhattisgarh that will have to be filled in the next few days. PTI SKC DV DV
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