BJP regime in state has spent Rs 7,315 Crore in buying power. It could’ve used the money to set up a 1,600 MW power plant in the state, alleges opposition. An independent energy expert too says ‘purchasing power from private producers should have been the last resort’ Raising the bogey of ‘scarce power’ is an opportunity of sorts for the government to be a spendthrift, so that the “citizens do not suffer”. Over the past three-and-a-half years, the BJP government has spent a mindboggling Rs 7,315 Crore to purchase power, even during non-summer seasons, from the open market.
Experts say a 1,600 MW power plant — enough to satiate state’s electricity needs — could have been set up with that kind of money. Power minister Shobha Karandlaje blames her predecessors for not doing enough to augment the state’s power generation capabilities. Former power minister and JD(S) leader H D Revanna counters that power is deliberately being bought from private producers as there is always a scope for lucrative kickbacks. [1]
Corruption is all pervasive and not restricted to a party like the congress alone. While Anna is fighting against the congress at the center, what about the BJP, a holy cow? LK Advaniji is on a Rath Yatra throughout the country. He will be at Bangalore too. It will be interesting to know in what way he can defend / set right his own party in Karnataka.
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The electricity debate
Recently there was an electricity debate on the TV soon after the power cut announcement, by Shobha Karandlaje.
To make the power sector viable market competition is desirable. The power sector is largely a governament monopoly since independence. Undoubtedly consumers should pay for the elcetric power consumed. Hence the electricity bill should reflect the cost incurred by the governament on a monthly basis. With open market the situation could be for the better.
Vote bank politics is a misconcieved and hence a formidable opponent for good governance.