Maniyar Power Project: Chennithala raises allegation of massive corruption; documents to be released today

NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has accused corruption in the move to extend the BOT contract of Maniyar hydropower project to Carborundum Universal Company for another 25 years. He said that the move to extend the contract was made by taking a bribe of crores of rupees by bypassing KSEB's objection and more documents will be released today.

The project, which costs less than 50 paise per unit, was to be handed over to KSEB from January 1, 2025. The Chief Minister and Ministers of Power and Industries are making the Cabinet mere spectators. KSEB Chairman and Chief Engineer have expressed their opposition to the extension of the contract in a letter to the Energy Secretary.

The company is asking for an extension on the grounds that there was damage due to floods during 2018-19. There was no significant damage in Maniyar. If any, the insurance company will pay the compensation. The move to hand over the project, which has the capacity to generate electricity without any maintenance for the next ten years, to a private company is tantamount to cheating the consumers.

KSEB has informed that the benefit of nearly Rs 140 crore will be passed on to the consumers in ten years if this project is handed over. The low-cost scheme is being eliminated when electricity is being bought from private companies at a huge cost.