Dehradun. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched a strong counterattack against Congress regarding their allegations on the allocation of a coal power plant to the Adani Group in Chhattisgarh and other administrative issues. Speaking to reporters on Friday in Dehradun, CM Dhami asserted that Congress has run out of legitimate political issues and that its claims are built entirely on lies.
Clarification on Coal Power Plant Agreement
CM Dhami clarified that the state is currently paying steep electricity tariffs due to power agreements signed during the previous Congress administration.
Legacy Costs: Power purchase agreements signed under Congress in 2014-15 forced the state to buy electricity at high rates of ₹31 to ₹32 per unit.
- Long-Term Objective: The current agreement was structured with long-term interests in mind to secure lower, stable electricity tariffs for Uttarakhand.
- No Irregularities: The Chief Minister completely denied any procedural lapses or misconduct in the deal.
Rebuttal on UIIDB Land Allocation & Other Issues
- UIIDB Land Allegations: Dismissing Congress’s claim that 7,000 bighas of government land were allocated via the Uttarakhand Infrastructure and Investment Development Board (UIIDB), CM Dhami stated that UIIDB has not even received 45 acres of land to date.
- Ankita Bhandari Case: Responding to political criticism, the CM noted that three main culprits have already been sentenced to life imprisonment, the state recommended a CBI probe, and remaining judicial proceedings are actively underway in court.
- Haldwani Issue: CM Dhami accused Congress of politicizing local matters for vote-bank interests, adding that opposition leaders are holding press conferences in Delhi because they have lost ground in Uttarakhand.
