Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said that the state government will study the “chargesheet reports” filed in the US concerning the alleged bribery scandal involving the former YSRCP administration and the Adani Group and assured to take action regarding these irregularities.
While addressing the state assembly, Naidu mentioned that his TDP-led government has been examining the alleged corruption between 2019 and 2024 over the past five months.
The US Department of Justice has charged Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani for allegedly participating in a prolonged scheme to provide USD 250 million in bribes to Indian officials for favourable solar power contract terms. The Indian conglomerate has denied these allegations. The former YSRCP government faces accusations of its officials accepting bribes from the Adani Group.
“In the past, systems were destroyed, and the administrative machinery was rendered ineffective. We have already discussed the destruction and corruption carried out by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) over the past five years. Their actions have tarnished the reputation and brand of Andhra Pradesh. They have created a situation where even addressing this issue has become difficult. The Andhra Pradesh government is carefully monitoring this matter,” ANI quoted Naidu as saying.
“I have all the chargesheet reports filed there (US). It is in the public domain. Will study it (the allegations and indictment). Will act on it and inform you,” PTI quoted Naidu as saying.
Naidu voiced his concerns about how these claims have negatively impacted the southern state’s standing and reputation, calling it a “very sad development”.
YSRCP dismisses allegations, says no direct link with Adani group
The YSRCP dismissed claims against their governance on Thursday, stating no direct dealings existed with the Adani group.
The YSRCP released a statement on Thursday highlighting that state power utilities provide approximately 12,500 MU of free power yearly to the agricultural sector, funded by the state government. The previous TDP government’s high-tariff PPAs led to financial difficulties for discoms, as they had to purchase power at nearly Rs. 5.10 per kWh, significantly increasing the state’s subsidy burden.
With a view to mitigate this problem, the state government proposed to install 10,000 MW of solar capacity in solar parks to be developed in the state of AP in 2020 and floated tenders through APGECL. A tender was floated in November 2020 for development of solar power capacity aggregating to 6,400 MW power, wherein over 24 bids were received with the tariffs in the range of Rs. 2.49 to Rs. 2.58 per kWh. However, the tender encountered several obstacles on legal and regulatory front and therefore, the exercise could not fructify.
Following this, the state government received a proposal from SECI, a Government of India enterprise, offering 7,000 MW of power at Rs. 2.49 per kWh, including ISTS charges waiver. SECI, operating under the ministry of new and renewable energy, will source power from projects chosen through the Request for Selection process.
The state government then agreed to obtain 7,000 MW from SECI at Rs. 2.49 per kWh over 25 years, with 3,000 MW starting in 2024-25, another 3,000 MW in 2025-26, and 1,000 MW in 2026-27, including ISTS charges waiver.
YSRCP confirmed that both APERC and CERC approved the agreement. “There is no direct agreement between AP discoms and any other entities including those belonging to the Adani group. Therefore, the allegations made on the then state govt, are incorrect,” the YSRCP spokesperson stated.
The party added that the Centre has waived ISTS charges for 25 years. “The project does not entail any burden on account of ISTS charges. The project is extremely favourable with respect to the interests of the State and procurement of power at such cheap rate would substantially benefit the state with a saving of Rs. 3,700 crores per annum,” the party concluded.
Assembly members called for former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy to be held responsible if the allegations against him are substantiated.
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