• Punjab paid extra to pvt firms for power: Jakhar

    Congress chief spokesperson Sunil Jakhar has said that the SAD-BJP government in Punjab had paid Rs 2,935 crore extra to private generation units for making the state power surplus.

    Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the Congress leader demanded an explanation on the issue from deputy CM Sukhbir Badal during the upcoming assembly session. Jakhar said the international price of coal was US $ 26 per tonne in India in July 2015, but “anticipating an increase” in coal prices, the tariff order of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited fixed the rates for private players at higher rates.

    “The excess power purchase for energy balance was Rs 2,257 crore at 268 paise per unit,” he said. “There should be detailed discussion in the assembly on this issue. The government should explain why it bought power at costly rates even though it could have been managed at cheaper tariff from outside.”

    These private generation units in the state have turned into white elephants and the government is paying so much extra to them. In my next press briefing, I will unearth who benefitted from these contracts. Legally, the government may have covered its tracks, but the figures do point to misrepresentations,” he said. Marcus Martin Jersey

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