KCR says approach of judicial panel on power projects biased, pre-conceived
Ex-CM suggests Justice L. Narasimha Reddy to step down citing his actions as against principles of natural justice
Former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) has observed that the remarks made by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy Judicial Commission, instituted by the State government to go into the alleged irregularities in the power sector, on the previous government led by him (KCR) are against the principles of natural justice and biased and requested the latter to step down from the responsibility voluntarily.
In a 12-page detailed letter addressed to the Commission on June 15, last day of the time given to him file his version on the alleged irregularities in the execution of two thermal power projects —Bhadradri Thermal Power Station (BTPS) with sub-critical technology and Yadadri TPS — and also the power purchase agreement (PPA) with Chhattisgarh, Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao said that the approach of the Commission was like giving judgment without completing hearing all sides of the case.
“Every comment made by the Judicial Commission from day one of assuming the responsibility has been clearly indicating that it has made up its mind to give its report against the previous government by coming to the conclusion without examining the issues referred to it comprehensively”, the former CM said adding that such a panel was supposed to submit its report along with documentary evidence only to those responsible in the government and not pass remarks indicting one of the parties in the issue.
Explaining the decision take by the previousBharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government led by him, Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao stated that the Commission during a press conference held on June 11 had tried to draw a conclusion that the State had suffered huge loss with the sub-critical technology project (BTPS) without even considering the fact that 90% of the power plants in the country, including those in the two Telugu States, were running with that technology at the time of taking up BTPS.
Further, he stated that there was neither a ban nor control on the use of sub-critical technology at the time of taking up BTPS and the construction of such plants were allowed till the end of 12th five year plan or till the end of 2016-17 fiscal and the decision to go for it was conscious considering the power crisis in the State since its formation. The negotiations committee in Genco brought down the capital cost by ₹400 crore through talks with BHEL. However, the Commission had made severe comments without considering any of these facts.
On YTPS, the former Chief Minister said that the decision on locating the project was purely the discretion of the government based on the premise to have one major thermal power project in the Krishna Basin as all others were located in the Godavari Basin and the National Green Tribunal cases and COVID-19 impact for two years had impacted its progress. On the distance from coal mines to YTPS, he said that had it it been a criteria many projects in the country would not have come up at all.
Stating that the Judicial Commission had even forgotten to suggest the State government that it was illegal to have an inquiry commission on the approvals given by two Electricity Regulatory Commission (Telangana and Chhattisgarh in case of PPA), Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao said that it was done to address the power crisis as early as possible. He reminded the Commission that PPAs are entered either before or during construction of the projects and the one with Chhattisgarh was also done when the construction of Marwa project was in progress and the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed before PPA also mentioned it clearly.
What former Telangana CM KCR said on issues of inquiry by Judicial Commission
At the time of State formation, the power deficit was 5,000 megawattIt included denial of 1,500 MW by AP as per APRA provisions, another 900 MW shortage due to stoppage of generation in gas-based plantsIn June 2014, Telangana was only connected to the Southern Grid and not the National Grid to procure energy from other regionsSlot in the PGCIL transmission line (long term access) was booked only with the help of Chhattisgarh PPAUnit (energy) rate was ₹4.94 in the PPA signed by Tamil Nadu through tenders with Chhattisgarh in 2014It was ₹4.33 in case of Karnataka also signed through tenders, while it was only ₹3.9 in case of Telangana’s PPA with Chhattisgarh through MoUProjects at Vijayawada, Muddanur (AP) Raichur, Ballari (Karnataka), Mettur (Tamil Nadu) Govindwala Sahib (Punjab), Jhajjar (Haryana) and many others would not have come up at all if distance from mines was a criteriaBoth nomination and tender processes are legal in case construction of a government power project is given to another government agency (PSU-BHEL)
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Telangana
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Bharat Rashtra Samithi
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power (infrastructure)
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electricity production and distribution