The CPI(M)-backed CITU has condemned the handing of over new thermal power plant of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) to the private sector.
DVC is a statutory organisation promoted jointly by the Union Government, West Bengal and Jharkhand governments. It has set up a thermal power plant in Purulia district in West Bengal, viz., Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station.
According to CITU, the decision to hand over the power plant to a strategic investor, “is nothing, but virtual gift of a newly constructed public sector power plant to private sector by frittering away public funds for private interest''.
“When DVC has the capacity and capability to run this unit why is it being handed over to Tata? The land was acquired for DVC’s project…..,” CITU said in a press release.
It may be mentioned here that DVC has failed to invite an expression of interest for a strategic investor.
Damodar Valley Corporation was planning to bring in equity partners for the 2X600 MW Phase 1 and 2X660 MW Phase 2 of Raghunathpur Thermal Power Project.
However, following objections from the West Bengal Government, the board could not go ahead with the decision to go ahead with the proposed EoI.