TDP Circles Abuzz Over Alleged ₹5,000 Crore Power Department Scam!
There was a time when contractors were selected only after tenders were invited. Now, contractors are allegedly being finalized even before tenders are floated. Many may wonder how this is possible after the introduction of the online tendering system. According to industry sources, governments have found ways to structure the system accordingly. While everything appears to be online on the surface, contractors and industrialists say the real decisions are made behind the scenes. After observing the situation in Andhra Pradesh, contractors are allegedly unwilling to compete against firms that have already been chosen by the government before the tender process begins. If anyone attempts to enter the bidding despite this, the situation reportedly continues until they are forced to withdraw. Only in unavoidable situations are tenders said to be shared among multiple parties. TDP leaders themselves claim that this pattern has been followed in the allocation of tenders ranging from the Amaravati capital works to power projects and electricity-related contracts.
A minister reportedly stated that no other department has witnessed the level of corruption allegedly seen in the Andhra Pradesh Power Department during the last two years. According to a senior minister, after the coalition government assumed office in Andhra Pradesh, approvals were granted for power projects exceeding 20,000 MW in total. Through these approvals alone, "Kim and Team," allegedly operating on behalf of a key minister, are said to have collected nearly ₹5,000 crore. TDP leaders claim that the collections were made on a per-megawatt basis from projects that received government approvals. They also point out that, within just one year, companies belonging to a single family allegedly received power projects with a combined capacity of nearly 10,000 MW. Departmental sources further allege that, just as contracts were awarded to favoured companies, power projects were also allocated to preferred firms. Party sources claim that Kim and Team even deployed certain individuals at the Delhi level to handle matters related to these projects.
According to sources, an IAS officer who has been considered a powerful figure in the Power Department for several years also played a key role in the entire process and allegedly amassed hundreds of crores. They claim this is one of the reasons why he continues to enjoy significant importance under the coalition government. Departmental sources allege that substantial amounts were collected on a per-megawatt basis in the allocation of PM Kusum projects, primarily because these projects receive subsidies from the Central Government. They further claim that similar collections were made for Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs), solar projects, and other power projects, with different rates fixed for different categories of projects. According to both TDP leaders and Power Department sources, these collections allegedly totalled around ₹5,000 crore over the last two years. Another significant point being discussed is that a key minister, who often claims that even the smallest developments within the government immediately come to his notice because of his extensive network, has remained silent despite these alleged developments. A senior minister reportedly said the primary reason is that the minister has been receiving his share of the proceeds and has also taken certain projects under his own quota.
