‘Spending their last days in…’: Congress attacks Mahayuti govt over Adani power deal | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday attacked the Mahayuti government over its decision to award a major power supply contract to the Adani Group, which the party said could put a significant financial burden on Maharashtra’s consumers.
Secretary General of the Congress Jairam Ramesh challenged the integrity of the bidding process and accused the state government of manipulating the tender conditions published on March 13, 2024, to favour the Adani Group and restrict competition by deviating from the standard bidding guidelines.
“Here are 5 questions for the non-organic PM about his new joint venture. Isn’t it true that – The terms of the tender issued by the Government of Maharashtra for bids for 1600 MW thermal power and 5000 MW solar power on March 13, 2024, have been changed from the standard bidding guidelines to minimize competition?” he said in a message on X.
Pointing out that there were discrepancies in the cost structures, Ramesh highlighted that the tariff for the 1,600 MW thermal power component is around Rs 12 crore per MW, which is significantly higher than the Rs 7 crore per MW that Adani has reportedly contracted with BHEL. This cost also exceeds the expenditure at which other major providers such as NTPC and DVC implement large-scale thermal projects.
He wondered whether the Rs 28,000-crore project cost would be fully funded by agencies under the Maharashtra Power Ministry. He noted that Adani Green’s solar bid is priced at Rs 2.7 crore per unit, compared to the current market price of Rs 2.5 crore per unit. This could lead to higher tariffs for Maharashtra’s 2.7 crore consumers.

“Solar tariffs are in the range of Rs 2.5 per unit, but Adani Green will supply power at Rs 2.7 per unit? These revdis (freebies) distributed to the Adani Group will impose a heavy tariff burden on the 2.7 crore consumers in the state of Maharashtra?” Ramesh said.
Ramesh said that while the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra is “heading for a crushing defeat”, it is choosing to spend its last days in power pursuing a “Modani venture” whereby it awards a massive power purchase contract to the Adani Group.
The Congress party’s allegations come as the Mahayuti government nears the end of its term and state assembly elections are due to take place soon.
The Congress alleged that the deal, which was awarded to Adani Power at a bid price of Rs 4.08 per unit, was manipulated to favour the business conglomerate.
Adani Power’s bid, which was nearly a rupee lower than the current procurement costs in Maharashtra, was chosen over rivals including JSW Energy and Torrent Power. The deal is expected to take effect 48 months from the date of the MoU, with an aim to address the state’s future electricity needs.