Cong asks Odisha govt not to clear NTPC project in a hurry

Opposition Congress Monday suggested Odisha government not to clear the proposed Rs 9785 crore power plant by NTPC at Talcher in a haste as it may go against interest of the state.

The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress while initiating the debate on the Odisha Appropriation Bill, 2018 in the Assembly.

Citing a newspaper report, Mishra said there was exchange of letters between the state government and the Centre over clearance for the NTPC project.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had written to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requesting him to clear the NTPC project as it has already been given environment, water and other required clearances.

The project could not proceed as the state government's High Level Clearance Committee has not yet cleared the project.

Odisha Energy Minister Sushant Singh had written to Union Power Minister R K Singh stating that the state has been supporting the project for which it obtained other clearances. But the Odisha government has expressed its reservation against the high power tariff of the proposed power plant.

The state government pointed out that the tariff of the proposed 1320 MW project at Talcher was pegged at Rs 3.40 per unit, which is more than Rs 2.68 per unit indicated earlier. Odisha government has also requested the Centre to use the transmission network of the state for evacuation of power from Talcher to avoid transmission charge to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, officials said.

Meanwhile, the union power minister has again written to the chief minister seeking personal intervention for clearance to the NTPC project.

"The Prime Minister is expected to visit Talcher on September 22. May I suggest that we utilise this opportunity for laying the foundation stone on that day in your august presence," Union Power Minister R K Singh wrote to Patnaik.

Mishra cautioned the state government that it should not clear the project "in a hurry" to keep date with the Prime Minister's visit. "During this session, we can discuss the matter in the assembly and see whether the NTPC's project will be beneficial for the people of the state. A committee may be set up to look into the matter," Mishra said.

Coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said "The prime minister's past record showed that he made promises, but did not carry it out. The PM had promised modernisation of a hospital in Rourkela and the second bridge on Brahmani river during his visit four years ago. The promises were not fulfilled."