PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Raising questions on the decision of the State government to purchase power from Adani Power Limited for a period of 25 years, the leader of opposition (LoP) in Vidhan Sabha Yashpal Arya has said that the decision will affect the interests of the coming generations as well. In a statement, the LoP said that the State government has handed over the coal block allotted to it in Chattishgarh to Adani for using the coal for power production and the State will purchase this power from the APL.
“For a State known for its hydropower and natural energy resources, being forced to purchase coal-based power from a private company for 25 years raises serious questions about the government’s energy policy. The Dhami government should tell the people what is the compulsion that led to the decision to buy 1,320 MW of electricity from Adani Power Limited at the rate of Rs 5.746 per unit for 25 years,’’ he asked.
He said that the government should publicly disclose the total financial liability of Uttarakhand in 25 years under this agreement, what kind of amendments will be made in the tariff in future, what will be the actual supply cost of electricity and what conditions have been laid down in this agreement to protect the interests of the State.
Arya said that Uttarakhand has paid a heavy price for its rivers, mountains and environment to provide electricity to the country. Large dams and hydroelectric projects have displaced thousands of families and caused environmental impact for the cause of generating power for the country.
In such a situation, it’s natural to ask, “If the rivers are ours, the water is ours, and the mountains are ours, why shouldn’t the people of Uttarakhand benefit from Uttarakhand’s energy policy?” Arya added that the government should first answer why the state’s own hydroelectric potential isn’t being fully utilized and why the state constantly needs to purchase electricity from outside.
Arya said that at the time when the world is moving towards clean and renewable energy, the decision to purchase coal based power for 25 years raises serious questions.
