BJP accuses Odisha govt of hatching conspiracy to sell CESU

Bhubaneswar: Odisha BJP Secretary Lekhashree Samantsinghar today accused the State government of hatching a conspiracy to rope in India Power Corporation to take over Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU).

Samantsinghar alleged that the State government received a kickback of Rs 1,000 crore as commission to generate funds for the assembly elections and lashed out at Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma for playing an instrumental role in striking the deal.

The State BJP Secretary also alleged that instead of 24 hours, electricity is being supplied only for 19 hours in the State. She said that BJP will take the matter before the Central Vigilance Commission.

"The State government is going to sell CESU to a private company with low credibility by tweaking its bidding clause. This is a big conspiracy which we strongly condemn. BJP will take this matter to the CVC," Samantsinghar said.

On the other hand, BJD has refuted the allegations levelled by the national party.

"The allegations are baseless because everything is being done in a transparent manner," BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra said.