Team Herald
PANJIM: A day after Goa was offered coal block in Madhya Pradesh by Center, former minister and Provorim MLA Rohan Khaunte has demanded white paper on allocation of same.
Coal block has been allocated at the Singruli coalfield in Madhya Pradesh. The block, if accepted by Goa Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), could address Goa’s power need for next 10-15 years.
Speaking to media persons on Saturday, Khaunte said that company, (K S K Energy Venture Pvt Ltd), which was in question during the earlier time on Goa’s coal block allocation issue in 2013-14, has resurfaced again raising doubts.
“I have been saying that Goa government’s allocation of coal block itself was a scam. Now the issue has surfaced again. So once again, on behalf of the people of Goa, I demand that the State government produce white paper on the coal block allocation,” he said.
Khaunte said that the State government should clarify what are the rates that they have finalized for the company and also how much power and what is the tariff they are charging.
He also said that the state government should avoid situation like in the past when crores of rupees was paid to the consultant. “The issue of coal block would be revived in the State,” he said.
In 2009, the coal block was allotted to the Goa government. Government was set to sign power purchase agreement with K S K Energy Venture Pvt Ltd. However, in 2014 Supreme Court cancelled all coal blocks allocation.
