Jaipur : Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Monday raised questions on tenders related to power purchase in Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Jairam Ramesh alleged that tenders have been prepared to benefit people close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jairam Ramesh also alleged that if this happens, it will limit competition and promote the rights of a few people.
Jairam Ramesh made these allegations
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh wrote on his X handle that, “The tempo of decisions aimed at making the cronies of the non-biological Prime Minister richer is increasing in BJP-ruled states. Two big power tenders in Rajasthan and Maharashtra are designed in such a way that the number of bidders is reduced and even more taxpayer money goes to Modani.” Both state governments have issued tenders for joint purchase of power from thermal and solar energy sources. This joint purchase will benefit big players (like Modani) who operate in both sectors. Splitting the purchase into two tenders would have enabled smaller companies, especially those in the renewable energy sector, to compete.
These tenders are in sync with Modini’s planned investments. The tender in Rajasthan clearly states that solar power must be bought from within the state – and Modini already has plans to set up a solar plant in Rajasthan. The tender in Maharashtra appears to be in sync with Modini’s planned investments in other states, which allow power to be bought from anywhere nationally. “The result is also going to be disastrous. It will restrict competition in a key industry and promote the power of a few, while reducing the likelihood of prices coming down in the long term. As usual, the prime minister’s friends will profit at the expense of consumers and taxpayers,” he concluded.
