Maha govt failed to increase power generation capacity: BJP

BJP today alleged that the Maharashtra Government had failed to increase the power generation capacity by even one MW since 2004, despite spending Rs 19,672 crore for setting up new units at the existing thermal power plants.
"New units were set up at Parli, Paras, Khaparkheda, Bhusawal, Chandrapur and Koradi thermal power stations between 2004 and 2009 and these units were expected to generate additional power of 5,730 MW," Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, Vinod Tawde, told a press conference.
Since electricity generation has not increased, there is a need to purchase power from private companies, he said adding, "This is happening because of corruption and inefficiency of the MahaGenco, the power generation company of the state government."

"If the MahaGenco power projects have power tariff of Rs 3.50 per unit, private projects range between Rs 4 to Rs 4.50 per unit," he said.
Tawde said in the last one year, MahaGenco purchased Rs 4500 crore worth electricity from private parties to tide over power shortage.
"Due to this, consumers had to face additional burden of Rs 1,000 crore. Consumers bore the brunt of corruption in generation, transmission and distribution companies, as the power tariffs had to be increased 12 times in 36 months.
Tawde said like Irrigation, the power department also focused on starting the projects, but not completing them.

He demanded that the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan should initiate a probe into the matter and investigate the "corrupt practices" in the power companies.