JD(S) alleges scam in power purchase

The government colluded with private power generation companies to purchase high cost power and many ‘invisible hands’ also involved in the shady deals, it alleged.

JD(S) leader in the Legislative Assembly H D Revanna, in a press conference on Friday, said the BJP government purchased 3,738 MU of power since June 2008 spending Rs 2,597 crore. The government had paid between Rs 5 to Rs 10 per unit of power. The government should release a white paper on the power purchases, he said.

Revanna said, during his tenure as energy minister he did not purchase high cost power but purchased it from the Central grid by paying a maximum of Rs 1.20 per unit. The State government has not tapped the potential fully, but purchased high cost power to benefit private companies.

He alleged the power supply companies (escoms) were facing loss due to mismanagement.