In a direct attack on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar (Nationalist Congress Party), the Aam Admi Party has accused the energy department which he controls, of wasting Rs. 22,000 crore in three years in the State due to corruption and inefficiency. It held the State electricity companies responsible.
The AAP claimed that while Rs. 10,000 crore was wasted in coal procurement, Rs. 12,000 crore went toward capital expenditure without any increase in production of coal.
“Maharashtra's electricity generation company was allotted 41.97 million tonnes coal in 2013 but it lifted only 30.05 million tonnes. It bought coal from other sources and Coal India could sell its surplus coal at premium prices,” said Satish Jain of AAP.
Responding to the allegation, NCP leader Nawab Malik said: “Power companies are audited by the CAG. States have to import coal because of inadequate supplies,” he said.
The AAP said there had been nine price hikes over the last three years and Maharashtra's tariff rates remain the highest in the country. “The average cost of supply has risen by a whopping 68% in the past five years,” said Mr. Jain.
