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The Congress party has launched a scathing critique of the outgoing Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, accusing them of favoring the Adani Group in a recent power supply contract. Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary in charge of communications, has questioned the transparency and fairness of the bidding process, alleging that the terms were modified to benefit Adani. The contract, awarded to the Adani Group, involves the supply of 6,600 MW of bundled renewable and thermal power to Maharashtra for the long term.
Ramesh has pointed out several discrepancies in the bidding process, highlighting that the tariff for the 1600 MW coal power appears significantly higher than what Adani itself has contracted with BHEL or what other major providers like NTPC, DVC, and Neveli Lignite Corporations have been able to achieve. He further questioned the financing of the project, specifically whether the Rs 28,000 crore cost will be fully funded by agencies under the Ministry of Power of the Maharashtra government.
Ramesh has also raised concerns about the tariff for solar power, arguing that the rate at which Adani Green will be supplying power is higher than the existing market rate. He labelled these benefits to the Adani Group as “revdis” (freebies) and claimed that they will place a heavy burden on the 2.7 crore consumers in the state of Maharashtra. He questioned whether the modifications in the bidding process and the higher tariffs were intended to benefit a specific company, thereby raising concerns about potential corruption and a lack of transparency in the decision-making process.
The Adani Group has secured the bid for the 25-year power supply contract, with its quote of Rs 4.08 per unit being lower than the current procurement cost for Maharashtra. However, the Congress, along with other opposition parties, remain unconvinced about the fairness of the deal and see it as another instance of the government favoring a particular business conglomerate. The issue has sparked controversy and raised questions about the government's commitment to fair competition and equitable access to resources.
The Congress party has accused the Mahayuti government of prioritizing the interests of the Adani Group over the well-being of the state's citizens. The party has called for a thorough investigation into the bidding process to ensure transparency and accountability. The debate over the power supply contract highlights the ongoing political tensions in Maharashtra, with the Congress party actively seeking to expose what they see as corruption and favoritism within the outgoing government.
Source: Mahayuti govt in Maharashtra chooses to spend last few days in power helping Adani: Congress