Coming out of oblivion, Abhijeet Group has revived its interest in running power the plants in Jharkhand that went to standstill in absence of various clearances, coal blocks and financial management. Group’s Chairman Manoj Jayaswal called upon Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Tuesday in this regard and expressed interest to restart its steam-cum-power plant laying shut at Seraikela.

Jayaswal, in his meeting with the Chief Minister, requested him to renew

the power purchase agreement of the company inked with the State Government long back. As per the agreement expired already, 29.4 MW of the power generated from the plant was to be shared with the State for three years.

“He requested the CM to extend the power purchase agreement so that the power plant at Seraikela can be revived. The CM has told him to start the plant within three months’ time and simultaneously action on the renewal of the PPA would take place,” said an official present in the meeting.

Abhijeet Infrastructure limited was to install

0.7 MTPA DRI (Direct-reduced iron) plant with 90

MW power plant out of

which 60 MW was to be generated through waste heat

recovery boiler technology and 30 MW from coal fired power plant technology in Seraikela district of Jharkhand. The project was

to be executed in phases and the company had acquired Brinda, Sisai and Meral

captive coal blocks for this.

However, the promoter got stuck in the coal scam which sent the project and another power plant of 1080 at Chandwa of latehar into limbo. Four units of the Chandwa were to be

commissioned in 2013 as per the schedule. Now reduced to ruins, the company had in 2015 sought the State Government’s intervention without any outcome.

“Manoj Jayaswal, on the occasion, also discussed the issues involved at Chandwa with the Chief Minister. He said that Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and Power Ministry would have to help it out in this regard.

The CM has assured him of all help for making the plant functional and directed Energy Secretary SKG Rahate to take up the matter with the REC,” added the official.

On its part, the State Government, following the company turned bank defaulter and had virtually jettisoned the Chandwa plant, had appointed Mecon to study the plant site, its resources and do an assessment amid talks of a take over supposedly by NTPC as a joint venture.