Probe working of power franchisees: AB Bardhan
TNN | Apr 16, 2012, 03.21AM IST
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ShareRead More:Rajendra Mulak Minister|Mohan Sharma|Executive President|Chakradhar Prasad Singh|AB Bardhan0NAGPUR: Former politburo of CPI, AB Bardhanon Sunday slammed power distribution franchisees and demanded a high level inquiry by economists and power officials into their working. Bardhan, who was in the city to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of MSEB Workers' Federation, slammed city power franchisee Spanco charging that it had not paid the entire money due to MSEDCL through the escrow account mechanism.
Bardhan also slammed MSEDCL for not taking action against Spanco even though it owed Rs 235 crore to it. "Spanco has recovered this money from consumers but not deposited it with MSEDCL," he alleged.
The communist leader said that in 1948 the country had a generation capacity of only 1,500MW. However, due to ceaseless efforts of state utilities the capacity had crossed over a lakh MW. "Power sector was nationalized keeping agricultural, industrial and social factors in mind. Now everything is being undone. Government passed the Electricity Act in 2003 under the influence of capitalists," he further charged.
He claimed that neither the government nor the common consumers had benefited from power franchisees as they were fleecing both.
Bardhan flayed the nuclear pact with United States of America (USA) and the Jaitapur nuclear power plant. "We should find other ways of generating power. Solar is a good alternative. The government must invest heavily in research and development in this field," he said.
Rajendra Mulak, minister of state for energy, said that the government was serious about all demands of power unions and assured that concrete steps would be taken soon to meet them. He lavished praise on the contribution of Bardhan to the labour movement and the power sector.
Sadaruddin Rana, national vice-president of the federation, said that nine out of 25 most rich persons were from India. However, the common Indian's lot had not improved. "The difference between rich and poor is increasing by the day."
National president Chakradhar Prasad Singh said that the first economic policy of India was formulated in 1956 with a view of making the country independent in all sectors. "However, with privatization of all sectors this goal seems to be impossible now." Executive PresidentMohan Sharma and secretary PB Uke also expressed their views.