T’puram: Opposition leader V D Satheesan criticised the govt for imposing unannounced power restrictions in state, even at night amid intense summer heat. In a statement issued on Saturday, he alleged that the power crisis resulted from the govt’s decision to cancel a long-term power purchase agreement signed by the previous UDF regime.He claimed the pact was cancelled for corrupt motives. Raising conspiracy allegations, he also sought a detailed probe in the matter and demanded transparency regarding financial irregularities. He argued that if the long-term pacts had continued, the state could have avoided power shortages and tariff hikes. He described the govt’s power cuts as a challenge to the public and questioned its claim of a power-cut-free Kerala over the past decade. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of unannounced power cuts and warned that UDF will launch protests if power restrictions continue.He added that scrapping the long-term contract, which enabled the purchase of 465MW at an average price of Rs 4.29/unit during the tenure of former CM Oommen Chandy, led to the current situation. he alleged that govt is now procuring power at a significantly higher rate – ranging between Rs 6/unit and Rs 12/unit – resulting in a daily loss of Rs 15-Rs 20 cr for KSEB.The opposition leader further claimed that govt earlier took credit for avoiding power cuts by utilizing the infrastructure and agreements established during the UDF regime. He termed the cancellation of long-term power pacts an irrational decision and asserted that it involved the govt, KSEB and KSERC.Satheesan also alleged that the decision effectively relieved power companies of their obligation to supply power at low rates until 2040, resulting in an estimated profit of Rs 2,000 crore for them, while causing loss to the state exchequer. He said if UDF assumes power after elections, it will order a comprehensive probe into the alleged corruption.
