Congress leader and MPP and Power Minister Sujan Singh Pathania has strongly refuted the allegations of Arun Dhumal of allotment of Sai Kothi Project and termed them false and mischievous.
Power Minister said that a false impression has been created as if irregularities have been committed in re-allotment of Sai Kothi Project in the year 2007, which is a blatant lie and malicious attempt to distort facts with a political motive to sensationalise the issue and defame Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.
Pathania accused Arun Dhumal for concealing vital facts about the Sai Kothi Hydro Electric Project. He claimed that the Congress led Government had cancelled the allotment of the Project w.e.f. 12th November, 2013, where as Project was awarded to M/s Venture Energy and Technology Ltd. on 14-6-2002 by the BJP Government. He said that it was absolutely ridiculous to accuse the Congress Government of favouring the Company as it was Dhumal, who was also MPP & Power Minister himself who gave extension to the Project four times during his tenure by taking the matter to Cabinet during 2008-2012.
Pathania clarified that the Congress Government was formed in the State in March, 2003 and terminated the MOU of the Project with the M/s Venture Energy and Technology Ltd on 20.9.2004 in view of the violation/misrepresentation of facts by the Company. The Company approached the HP High Court in 2005 and the Supreme Court, where the State Government was directed to reconsider the restoration. He said that even HPSEB had recommended restoration of Sai Kothi Project to the Company.
MPP & Power Minister said that the Cabinet in its meeting held in April, 2007 decided to restore the Project to M/s Venture Energy and Technology Ltd and was given two years period to obtain all necessary clearances.
Pathania said that the then BJP Government headed by Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was also MPP & Power Minister, gave extensions four times to the Company from 16-9-2009 to 31.3.2013 for a period of 45 months and 15 days.
MPP and Power Minister said that the State Government, in Cabinet Meeting held on 4-9-2013, decided to grant extension for a period of 10 months by levying an extension fee @ Rs. 20,000 per MW per month in favour of company for obtaining all statutory/non-statutory clearances/approvals and to start construction work. He said that in view of no response received from the Company as well as non-deposition of the due amount within time period, the Congress Government cancelled the allotment of the Project w.e.f. 12th November, 2013.
Pathania accused BJP leaders for making false and malicious accusation against the Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. He said that the BJP leaders were unnecessarily trying to link the restoration of Sai-Kothi Project in 2007 to the loan taken by Virbhadra Singh in 2011.
He said that the frustrated BJP leaders were fabricating false stories and twisting and tempering facts to suit their convenience and they were indulging in malicious and cheap politics. He said that the BJP Leaders want to remain news because of forthcoming parliamentary elections.
