Khadse alleges scams in power sector

Leader of Opposition in state assembly Eknath Khadse took on deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in exposing several irregularities in the state-run power companies on Thursday. Pawar offered to discuss the issue at length with Khadse, to which the BJP leader surprisingly consented.

Khadse exposed a shocking case of favouritism in tenders for the Uran gas power station. "The tender conditions were changed three times to favour an international company and deprive Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (Bhel) of the contract. The technical bid was submitted two months ago, but you have not opened it yet. Is it because Bhel is a public sector company?" he asked.

Pawar in his reply claimed that the bids were postponed on Bhel's request, as it had not submitted the deed of joining for supplying gas turbines. Khadse waved a deed signed between Bhel and GE, said that the PSU had submitted it to Mahagenco. A rattled deputy CM said that if this was the case then the contract would be awarded to Bhel.

Khadse also questioned the award of 1,980MW Koradi expansion project tender to a private company instead of Bhel.

The BJP leader pointed out that eligibility criteria for appointment of as many as sixteen senior officers in the three state-run power companies were changed to favour certain candidates. The minister offered to conduct an enquiry by an officer with a clean image and suggested the name of ex-chief secretary Ajit Nimbalkar.

The leader of opposition also alleged massive irregularities in Mahagenco's coal import. "About 27 of 33 lakh tonnes is imported by M/s Bhatia Ltd. This company sells 20% of imported coal in black market with full knowledge of Mahagenco officers. No wonder, the plant load factor (PLF) of Mahagenco power stations has not gone up," he said, seeking an enquiry against Bhatia. He demanded that imported coal should be inspected at every stage, right from the port to the power station.

Turning to other irregularities in coal supply, Khadse said, "On July 18, 2010, Chandrapur power station authorities made an entry of an empty truck as a loaded one. Shinde, the chief security officer of Chandrapur power station, did not do anything. Now, this officer has conveniently gone underground."

Earlier, Shiv Sena leader Subhash Desai pointed out that former energy secretary BP Pande had rented out his Mumbai flat to Reliance Infrastructure for Rs 3.5 lakh per month. "There is nothing in Pande renting his flat. But if his tenant is Reliance, then there is something fishy," he said.