The BJP has slammed the State Government’s move to enter into pacts with less known companies like India Power and FEDCO forpower distribution and other related works which were under the Cesu.
BJP State secretary Dr Lekhashri Samantasinghar charged that the Energy Secretary has been conspiring for a sellout of the oldest and trustworthy company Cesu to these unknown companies.
She alleged that there is huge PC transaction in the whole affair as these private companies would decide the fate of the 24 lakh electricity consumers of the State. She further said while the BJP has questioned the inefficiency of the State Government to supply power hassle free, the State Government has started browbeating and served a legal notice.
She said that according to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, after the Make in Odisha conclave, 4,000 private companies have evinced interest for investments in various sectors the State but would he clarify how many of them are interested to invest in the power sector.
She wanted to know the intention of the Government to assign less known companies in the power sector while there is no dearth of reputed players.
Samantasinghar said it is now pretty clear that the Make in Odisha conclaves have completely failed and the Energy Secretary is collecting funds for the BJD ahead of the elections.
She said the State Government had cancelled an MoU with the parent company of India Power, ASIREIE, in Subarnarekha project in 2011, over nonperformance.
The Bihar Government had terminated the pact with the same company for distribution of power in Gaya.
The FEDCO’s parent company Feedback Infra too had faced the heat of the World Bank for submitted false information . Besides, the FEDCO which is working in four divisions in the State has failed to meet conditions in the last five years.
The company has spent Rs 14 crore as against Rs 47 crore in capital expenditure and Rs 25 crore as against Rs 176 crore in operational expenditure contravening the agreement. Similarly, in meter investment it has sspent Rs 15 crore against Rs 99 crore.
The company which has failed to adhere to a 5-year agreement, what can be expected from it on a 25-year agreement, Samantasinghar asked.
She further charged that the State Government has knowingly made laws to favour certain companies in the tender awarding process, so as to keep reputed firms at bay.
