Dadri power project incomplete without gas pipeline: V P Singh

Lucknow, Aug 24 (UNI) Former Prime Minister and Jan Morcha leader Vishwanath Pratap Singh today made light of reports that Reliance Energy Limited (REL) has commenced work at its controversial Dadri gas-based power project site.

''A gas-based power project without gas pipeline is like inviting people for 'pulao' without having sufficient rice,'' he quipped.

The former Prime Minister said construction at the site would have no meaning till the time the issue of providing gas to the mega project was settled between REL and the Centre.

He also criticised the presence of a state government official during a 'puja' ceremony held today at the site. ''Why should a government official attend the ceremony of a private company,'' he said.

Mr Singh also slammed REL and the Mulayam Singh Yadav government for paying poor compensation to farmers for land acquired for the project. ''While the banks were informed the price per sq yard of land is Rs 5,700, the farmers were paid a mere Rs 150 per sq yard,'' he alleged.

He demanded that the state government assured the legislature during the ongoing monsoon session that REL would sell energy at Rs 2 per unit to UP.

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