OPGC Board Approves Merger Proposal with OCPL
Experts raise concerns over impact on jobs and state economy
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) board has approved a proposal to merge Odisha Coal and Power Limited (OCPL) with itself, awaiting the state government’s final nod. Currently, OPGC holds 51% stake in OCPL, while the state government owns 49%.
OCPL, which has expanded its operations with multiple coal mines, is seen as a fast-growing entity. It recently received Odisha’s first commercial coal block—Tangerdehi (North) in Sundargarh—with an annual capacity of 16 million tonnes. The company already supplies coal to OPGC from its Manoharpur mines and produced 12 million tonnes in 2023–24, targeting 16 million tonnes this year. Its efficient operations earned it a national 5-star rating in mining.
Experts, however, fear that merging OCPL with OPGC may curtail its independence, limit employment opportunities, and slow economic growth. Energy analyst Anand Mahapatra argued that such a move could harm Odisha’s long-term interests, despite claims that electricity tariffs may reduce for consumers.
Supporters of the merger say OPGC could benefit ahead of the GST compensation cess expiry in April 2026. Still, critics urge the government to reconsider, stressing that OCPL’s independent growth could generate over 5,000 new jobs and accelerate Odisha’s industrial progress.
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