CPI(M) Leader Criticises Kerala Government Over Power Purchase Plan
· India · The Hindu, Hindustan Times
The Electricity Employees' Federation of India has demanded an independent probe into the UDF government's decision to purchase electricity from a private trading platform in Thiruvananthapuram. According to CPI(M) leader Elamaram Kareem, the State government pushed to buy 500 MW of electricity from GNA Energy OTC platform at ₹8.63 per unit while overriding objections from the Kerala State Electricity Board. The KSEB calculated that the purchase would create an additional financial liability of ₹727 crore for the State exchequer. Mr. Kareem also alleged that former KSEB chairman and managing director M.G. Rajamanickam was transferred on Monday for opposing the government's stance. Furthermore, unions raised concerns regarding delays in issuing work orders for the Phase II roll-out of smart electricity meters covering 50 lakh consumers under the CAPEX mode before the bid validity expires on November 11.
Why it matters
The controversy directly impacts public funds and electricity tariffs for millions of consumers in Keralam, while raising governance questions over administrative transfers and power procurement policy.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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