AND More .......Government giveaways such as free electricity...

AND More .......

Government giveaways such as free electricity for farmers have drained cash reserves from the largely state-run electricity-distribution system, leaving it financially crippled and unable to purchase power despite existing demand.

A giant new offshore gas field has delivered less fuel than promised.

An ambitious nuclear-power program has been stymied by demonstrations at plant sites since the Fukushima disaster in Japan in March.

And despite abundant reserves of coal, India can't produce enough to feed its power plants.

Coal-fired plants, which account for roughly half of the country's total electricity-generating capacity, should maintain stocks to last 22 days on average, according to the guidelines of the Central Electricity Authority.

But a report last week from the regulator showed that of 89 such plants it monitors, 46 didn't have enough coal to last a week, with some holding less than a day's worth or no coal at all.

As more power plants come online — the government and private industry are estimated to have spent as much as $US100 billion since 2007 to add capacity — coal shortages are expected to worsen.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wall-street-journal/indias-power-for-all-plan-in-crisis/story-fnay3ubk-1226235422790