THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There are differences of opinion at the government level over the decision related to extending the contract of the Maniyar hydroelectric project. Minister K Krishnankutty said the stand of the power department is not to extend the contract of the Maniyar project. The minister also clarified that there has been no final decision on the stand of the industries department to extend the contract.
While talking to the media, he said the final decision will be taken by the chief minister. The minister's explanation makes it clear that the industries department and the electricity department have two opinions in extending the contract of the Maniyar hydroelectric project. Krishnankutty also said that the electricity board is of the opinion that the Maniyar project should be taken over.
However, the industries department's stand is that the contract should be extended to Carborundum. The Maniyar project was given to the Carborundum Group for 30 years. After 30 years, the project should be returned to KSEB. The 30-year BOT-based contract is set to expire in December, and the differences in the decision to extend the contract have come to light.
Many including the opposition, had come out against this. Opposition leader V D Satheesan said the government's attempt to retain the control of Maniyar hydroelectric project to a private company, despite the opposition of the electricity board, shows a corruption of crores. The project should be returned to KSEB. Satheesan also pointed out that if the electricity worth 18 crores that would have been received annually through the Maniyar project was included in KSEB's annual budget, the people would have benefited from it.