Now, BSY suspects foul play by CM, DKS in power purchase

BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday demanded the state government's clarification on why it was purchasing power at much higher rates when the Centre was willing to sell power at Rs 2.50 per unit.

Addressing reporters in Bengaluru, Yeddyurappa said the Energy department was presently purchasing power from JSW Ltd at Rs 4.17 per unit and at Rs 4.71 per unit from Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL).

"When the Centre is ready to sell any quantum of power at Rs 2.50 per unit, why is the government purchasing power at such higher costs. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Energy Minister D K Shivakumar should clarify on this matter. It is not Shobha Karandlaje who needs to be investigated, but Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar," he said.

Referring to the House committee report on irregularities in power purchase that was tabled in the Legislative Assembly during the just concluded legislature session, the BJP leader said Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar had ensured the submission of the report to divert attention from the controversies surrounding the Congress government.

The report has recommended that appropriate action be taken against Shobha for causing Rs 1,046-crore losses by favouring a private firm when she served as the Energy minister during the BJP regime.

Defending Shobha, the former chief minister said that the BJP government was forced to make short term purchases between 2012 and 2013, as long term purchases at Rs 3.81 per unit would have cost the exchequer more than Rs 30,000 crore over a period of 25 years.