PNS|Hyderabad
Former minister Harish Rao on Friday launched an attack on the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government for signing an MoU to construct a 510 MW hydel power project in Himachal Pradesh with an estimated cost of Rs. 6,200 crore, despite having no Detailed Project Report (DPR), feasibility report, or even board approval from TS Genco. Calling it a “white elephant” project, he demanded the immediate release of a white paper and a discussion in the Assembly.
Harish questioned how a government that claims it cannot repay farm loans or fund welfare schemes is ready to splurge thousands of crores on an infeasible power project in a snowbound region where even NTPC and private giants backed off years ago. “This government says it cannot fund Rythu Bandhu, Aasara pensions, gold for brides under Kalyana Lakshmi, or even pay pensions to retired employees. But it found Rs. 26 crore for upfront payment to Himachal and is ready to pay another Rs. 26 crore without a DPR. From where is Revanth getting this money?” he asked.
He pointed out that even Moser Baer, a reputed private firm, had backed out of the same project in 2009 after paying Rs. 64 crore as premium, and later had to approach the Himachal High Court when the money wasn’t refunded. NTPC too withdrew from the same location in 2019, citing technical and financial infeasibility.
“The project was abandoned by others over the last two decades. So why is Telangana government suddenly rushing to revive a dead plan? Is it for public interest or for someone’s private gain?” Harish asked. He also questioned why the Telangana government was dealing with the Himachal Pradesh Congress government directly without taking Genco’s board approval.
He demanded Bhatti Vikramarka explain how the MoU was signed without standard procedure. “This is no less than a Tughlaq act. While Telangana is in financial distress, why are we investing in a snow-clad, disputed zone 2,000 km away? What secret deal is being cooked up between the two Congress governments – will the Delhi Congress answer, or Himachal or the Telangana Congress?” he asked.
Harish ended his remarks by warning that the BRS has credible information of corruption in this deal. “Very soon, we will expose the entire scam with proof,” he said, calling it one of the biggest betrayals of Telangana’s public money.
