Pointing out the negative impact on Chhattisgarh's economy, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday urged Union Minister of Coal and Mining Pralhad Joshi to continue coal supply to local steel producers and other small units from August.

In a letter, the Chief Minister      pointed out that at present 60 lakh tonnes      of coal were being supplied to the state’s steel manufacturers by South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) per month. The  actual requirement was 15 million tonnes.

The SECL management has decided to stop the     supply of coal to the steel producing industries from August.

This is an unfortunate decision as the coal producing state is denied its own share of production to its local industries. It will cause a serious crisis to the economy of the state, an official communication said.

He underlined that the state      annually produces 150 million tonnes of coal. Most of this is sent to other states.

Chhattisgarh is also one of the leading states in steel production. Apart from major steel producing units, there are hundreds of small units which are the basis of livelihood for lakhs of      people.

Now, as per a decision   of SECL, except the power generating plants, from August, a lockdown like                 situation will prevail in all steel related industries. It would create a serious    crisis in the state, he stated.

He urged the Union Minister to direct SECL officers to ensure           uninterrupted supply of coal to the steel producers of the state.