Revanth Reddy orders judicial probe into Chhattisgarh power agreement, Yadadri, Bhadradri power projects

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has said that his Government will order a judicial inquiry into the power purchase agreement with the Chhattisgarh Government, the option of sub-critical technology for the Yadadri power project and the delay and escalation of costs in the construction Bhadradri Thermal power project.

Intervening in the short discussion on the Power Sector in the State Assembly on Thursday, the Chief Minister said that the BRS Government took the irrational decision in the name of Telangana sentiment, which resulted in the wastage of Government money.

“Time and again the former CM raised the issue of burnt transformers and farmer’s suicides. So we have decided to scan the power sector thoroughly. We have initiated a debate purposefully. Former Power Minister G Jagdeesh Reddy wanted an inquiry, so let us have it,” Revanth Reddy said.

He said that the Judicial inquiry would probe the Chhattisgarh power purchase agreement for the purchase of 1,000 MW. He said that the power-producing State was asking for more now and the ERC in that State had been dealing with several cases slapped on Telangana. The Chief Minister added that the BRS Government even demoted and transferred a Transco official for warning the Government against entering into an MoU with Chhattisgarh.

He said that the inquiry would also look into the 1,080 MW Yadadri Thermal Power Project being constructed with Sub-critical technology. He alleged that the BRS Government chose to go for the technology which was outdated despite warnings from the Union Government.

“The India Bulls company was building a 1,000 MW project in Gujarat with Sub Critical technology. By that time Sub Critical projects were closed and Super Critical technology was suggested. India Bulls gave BHEL an order. But the Telangana Government came to its rescue and decided to go for the outdated technology,” CM said,

He said that the Congress which was in opposition objected to the move. “It took seven years to build and the production cost per MW soared to Rs 9.74 cr. Where KTPC 7th phase was completed in 40 months with supercritical technology,” he added.

Thirdly, the Chief Minister declared that the Judicial probe would look into the 4,000 MW Yadadri Thermal Power project. He said that the thermal power station was to be built at a cost of Rs 25,099 crore, within two years.

“It took eight years from 2015 but the project is not yet completed. The cost of the project rose to Rs 34,543 crore resulting in a production cost of Rs 9 crore per MW. The investigation will look into the reasons why the cost estimations increased and the project is still incomplete,” the CM said adding that Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka would look into other procedural issues of ordering the probe.

While attributing the increase in solar power production, he said that there was no contribution of the Government organisations in achieving 5000 MW power production. He said that he would call an all-party meeting to verify the claims of the BRS Government that it gave 24 power supply to farmers.