Punjab Cong alleges irregularity in electricity purchase

Jalandhar, Sep 6 (PTI) Alleging irregularities inpurchase of electricity by the Punjab government, stateCongress today sought clarification from Deputy Chief MinisterSukhbir Singh Badal in this regard and demanded a discussionin the state assembly. "There are different official versions on the purchaserate of electricity from Rajpura themal power station inPunjab. Moreover there is wide gap between the purchasing rateand the payment made for the same," senior Punjab Congressleader Sunil Jhakhand alleged. He sought an answer to the difference in figures and saidthe amount should be reimbursed to the 61 lakh consumers inthe state. "In the state assembly, government said electricity wasbeing purchased at Rs 2.89 per unit from Rajpura thermal powerstation this year. But Punjab Sector Power Corporation chief DChaudhary said that electricity was being purchased at Rs 2.20per unit," he said. Jhakhand claimed that Sukhbir in a written reply in theassembly said electricity was being purchased at Rs 3.59 andRs 3.99 per unit for Rajpura and Talwandi thermal plantsrespectively. "In the same reply, Sukhbir said from January 1, 2015 toJanuary 31, 2016, a total of 7055 million unit was purchasedfor Rs 3112.03 crore from Rajpura plant and 3291.52 millionunit was purchased for Rs 1562.27 crore from Talwandi plant. "If calculations are made on the basis of these figuresthen, electricity was purchased at the rate of Rs 4.41 and Rs4.62 respectively which is a difference of 63-83 paisa perunit from the stated rate," he said, adding Sukhbir shouldcome out with a clarification. PTI SRT MNG ZMNMNG