KCR: Justice Narasimha's panel biased against BRS, has no legal validity

Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and former chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) on Saturday claimed that the commission set up to investigate the alleged irregularities in the power sector during the previous BRS government is biased and has no legal validity.

The Congress government appointed the Justice Narasimha Reddy commission to investigate the alleged irregularities in the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) the previous BRS government made with the Chhattisgarh government and on the power plants in Bhadradri and Yadadri.

On June 11, the commission served notices to 25 officials and non-officials, including KCR, requesting a written explanation.

Stating his doubts about an impartial investigation in a 12-page response, KCR said, “Based on your statements in vernacular media, it appears that you have already decided to write a report critical of the BRS government even while the probe is underway. Then, there is no point in appearing in person to discuss. I humbly request that you voluntarily step down from the inquiry commission,” KCR said.

KCR outlines data on power management under BRS

In his letter, the former chief minister outlined the electricity situation in Telangana in 2014, providing facts and data to demonstrate how ‘the BRS government solved the power issue.’

KCR said that the electricity crisis at the time of the State’s bifurcation was 2,700 MW. Due to Andhra Pradesh violating the rules by discontinuing power supply, an additional 1,500 MW was added, as well as a 900 MW deficit owing to a shortage of gas-based power generation. He added there was a total shortfall of approximately 5,000 MW.

“The BRS government took many steps to improve the power situation. The State’s installed electricity capacity was increased to 20,000 MW from around 7,778 MW,” he explained. All of this was accomplished by researching the methods of other State governments, complying with the Central government regulations, and getting the required permits, KCR said.

‘BRS followed Revanth’s recommendations’

Elaborating further, the BRS chief said that when the Telangana government reached an arrangement to purchase power from Chhattisgarh, then-Telugu Desam MLA A Revanth Reddy filed complaints with the Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC). After examining all of Revanth Reddy’s complaints, the ERC approved the recommendations provided by the State’s electricity groups, he stated.

“If Revanth Reddy has any further objections, he can file them with the Electricity Appellate Tribunal and then the Supreme Court. However, he did not file an appeal with them,” KCR said.

After assuming power, the Congress government submitted White Papers in the Assembly on the performance of the BRS government, sparking extensive debates and deliberations.

Despite the fact that the Electricity Regulatory Commission’s instructions prevent the formation of an inquiry commission, the BRS chief stated that the Congress government constituted it.

“It’s unfortunate that you (Congress) assumed that duty. Then you illegally launched the investigation and called a news conference, making irrelevant statements on a variety of matters. I object to such things and will express my concerns to you in my response,” KCR said.