According to the Deccan Chronicle the supply disruption warning is due to an agitation led by former Jharkhand chief minister Babulai Marandi

Panem Coal Mines, a joint venture between the Punjab State Electricity Board and the EMTA group of companies, mines about 7 million tons of coal from the Pachwara mines in Jharkhand.

That coal is burnt in the PSEB’s power plants.

“The situation has now become critical and we are afraid that if the issue is not resolved immediately, the supply of coal to the power stations of Punjab State Power Corp shall be affected very badly for days to come,” company director Bikash Mukherjee said.

Marandi is demanding rehabilitation of people affected by the Panem Coal Mines.

“They have blocked the approach road to the mines, resulting in total disruption of transportation from mines to the railway siding at Pakur [since November 16],” Mukherjee said.

“Movement of all required items inward and outward from the mine has come to a grinding halt.”