The government has directed states to clear their electricity bills and take measures to become self-reliant on coal production to mitigate the national power crisis. Several states have been facing a shortage of coal and have resorted to power shedding to keep up with the spike in demand for electricity. Additionally, the Centre has convened a meeting of high-level investors in Mumbai on Friday on reopening closed or discontinued coal mines and launching coal gasification projects. Coal ministry officials have reportedly said there is ample stock of domestic coal available at a quarter of the price of imported coal but with state power generation companies owing over Rs. 79 billion to Coal India, many states are unable to get enough coal. They added that energy security remains a top priority for the Union government, but said it doesn't have the infinite logistical capacity to carry domestic coal, hence, states have been asked to try to maximise production from captive mines.