Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy Asserts SECI Power Deal Involves No Third Party
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Amaravati, Nov 28 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and YSR Congress leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy asserted on Thursday that a power purchase agreement was established directly between the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and the state government, without any third-party involvement.
During a press conference, he announced his intention to pursue a defamation lawsuit against local media outlets that have been disseminating misleading and unfounded narratives detrimental to his reputation.
He emphasized that the agreement was negotiated between the Central government, represented by SECI, and the state government to procure power at an exceptionally low rate of Rs 2.49 per unit. He firmly stated that the involvement of a third party was out of the question and denounced the baseless bribery allegations aimed at tarnishing his image.
"Two local newspapers have been distorting facts and publishing inaccurate accounts, and I will seek legal action and claim Rs 100 crore in damages if they do not issue a public apology within 48 hours," said Jagan Mohan Reddy.
In detailing the power sale agreement, he noted that SECI had proposed supplying 9,000 MW of power to the state at Rs 2.49 per unit while waiving interstate transmission charges. According to the terms of the agreement, 3,000 MW is scheduled to be provided by September 2024.
"This was an exceptional offer as it represents the lowest price ever secured by the state, and we accepted it after adhering to the necessary protocols," he remarked.
The former Chief Minister elaborated that the state government received SECI's letter on September 15, 2021, which was reviewed in the Cabinet and subsequently sent to an expert committee that provided its recommendations after a 40-day evaluation. The finalization occurred during a Cabinet meeting in December. SECI had also extended offers to other states like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu, but their rates were higher than the Rs 2.49 rate proposed to Andhra Pradesh.
"Accepting this offer will result in savings of Rs 4,400 crore for the state, and over a span of 25 years, the total savings will approach Rs 1 lakh crore due to the waiver of interstate transmission fees," he added.
Jagan Mohan Reddy pointed out that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who often speaks of wealth creation, had previously agreed to purchase power at an average rate of Rs 5.90 per unit, while the YSRCP's acceptance of Rs 2.49 will ensure farmers receive nine hours of free power, thereby enhancing their quality of life.
In addition to acquiring power at the lowest rates, he highlighted that wealth has also been created through the development of three ports and 17 medical colleges.
"We have transformed welfare by eliminating the middleman system, directly crediting funds to beneficiaries' bank accounts through DBT, establishing RBKs for farmer welfare, and implementing significant reforms in the education system, whereas Chandrababu Naidu's policies are regressive and negatively impact all segments of society," he concluded.
