Assam CM Himanta Sarma under fire over 'secret' Adani meeting & power deal

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is facing sharp scrutiny and explosive allegations of non-transparency following a reported "secret" meeting with industrialist Gautam Adani in New Delhi on November 2.

The meeting preceded the Assam government's decision to allocate approximately 4,500 bighas of land to the Adani Group for a massive 3,250 MW thermal power plant at Parbatjhara in Kokrajhar district.

Addressing a press conference on Friday in Guwahati, the Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) president Lurinjyoti Gogoi expressed grave concern and raising serious questions about the rapid approval and secretive nature of the Rs 50,000 crore project.

Key Allegations Raised by AJP

AJP Lurinjyoti Gogoi alleged that the land, about 4,500 bighas, was approved for handover to "Adani Power Limited" by the previous BTC administration's Land Advisory Committee, calling it a secretive land allocation.

Gogoi claimed that the tender for the 3,200 MW thermal power plant was "secretly and hastily" concluded in October, labeling this a hasty tender process.

Furthermore, there is concern over the Controversial Power Purchase Price: Assam will reportedly purchase electricity from the Adani plant at Rs 6.30 per unit, a rate that the AJP claims is higher than those in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar, and was given "advance approval" by the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC).

Gogoi further stated the land is allegedly being handed over to the Adani Group for a meagre Rs 1 per bigha. Regarding the Timeline and Suspicious Resignation, the AJP noted that the project was approved by the APDCL Board of Directors on October 17 and October 22, and the AERC gave final approval on the proposed electricity prices on October 22.

This was followed by the significant development of the resignation of AERC Chairman Kumar Sanjay Krishna just three days later.

Chief Minister Sarma under Fire

AJP President Lurinjyoti Gogoi heavily criticized Chief Minister Sarma's silence and lack of public disclosure regarding the project, especially the details of his half-hour meeting with Adani.

"The Chief Minister, who announces decisions and opinions on minor issues through press conferences or Facebook lives... why not pronounce a word about Adani's proposed thermal power plant?"

Gogoi questioned at the press conference. "Why is it kept secret what was discussed at Adani's residence? Why are there no photos or videos of the discussion?"

The AJP further questioned why the public was kept in the dark about a massive RS 50,000 crore project, and why essential steps like public hearings and obtaining environmentally friendly certificates were allegedly bypassed.

Gogoi demanded complete transparency, stating, "People of Assam have the right to know the truth. There must be transparency. CM must make it public."

The AJP leader has suggested a "secret understanding" behind the November 2 visit, alleging that CM Sarma is "trying to save his throne by appeasing industrialist Adani" and "trying to dust the eyes of the people of Assam on the project."