Answer graft allegations against TANGEDCO officials: Anbumani to T.N. CM Stalin

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Friday asked why Tamil Nadu government was paying ₹2.61 for a unit of solar power generated by from Adani group, which is 30% more than the prevailing rate in the market. He said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin should answer questions regarding the allegations of corruption in TANGEDCO.

In a statement, Dr. Anbumani said Electricity Minister V. Senthilbalaji has not specifically answered the allegations of TANGEDCO officials taking bribes from Adani Group.

“The TANGEDCO has signed an agreement with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to buy solar power generated by Adani group. That the higher officials in TANGEDCO have received bribes from Adani Group is the allegation that has been made in U.S. court. This allegation has not been answered adequately,” he said.

Dr. Anbumani further said the agreement between TANGEDCO and SECI was made in September 16, 2021 but a Saudi Arabian company called Al-Jomaih Energy had signed agreements to buy 200 MW and another company named Green Infra Wind Energy had agreed to buy 400 MW for ₹2/unit and NTPC Energy agreed to buy 470 MW at ₹2.01/unit in June, 2020.

“Usually, price of Solar energy reduces year on year. Why did the price increase by 30% in 2021 when it should have reduced? After the electricity charges were hiked in September, 2022, TANGEDCO’s revenue increased by ₹23,863 crore in the next seven months. If one calculates for the entire year, ₹31,500 crore revenue should have been earned. Before the tariff hike, the TANGEDCO was operating with a deficit of ₹9,000 crore in the previous year. While profits should have touched ₹14,000 crore, the losses increased by ₹10,000 crore that year. An additional revenue of ₹35,000 crore would have been earned because of hike in power tariffs for commercial places and ₹26,000 crore should have been the profit in 2023-24. Yet, the profit-loss accounts for TANGEDCO has not been made public, why?” he asked.

Dr. Anbumani asked why the 800 MW power plant which was opened by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin before the Lok Sabha elections in March this year has not become functional.

“If power projects are implemented, the power cannot be purchased from private companies at inflated rates and corruption cannot be done. This is the reason why parties that have ruled Tamil Nadu for 20 years have ensured that power projects are not implemented,” he said.

Published - November 30, 2024 12:00 am IST