Conspiracy to create power crisis in Bihar: Nitish

Patna, Feb 7 (PTI) Alleging that a conspiracy hasbeen hatched to create power crisis in Bihar, Chief MinisterNitish Kumar today said there were many people who stillwanted to keep the state under darkness.

"There is a conspiracy going on against Bihar. Thestate is not not getting required power supply from thecentral pool to cater to the requirements of its domestic andcommercial consumers. It only shows that some vestedinterests want to keep Bihar under darkness" Kumar toldreporters on the sidelines of ''Janata Darbar''.

Since the state was facing drought and drinking watercrises, the cut in allocation of electricity from thecentral pool to the state would further aggravate theproblems, he said.

Kumar said the state government had handed over themanagement of the Kanti Super Thermal Power Plant to the NTPCand took steps for clearing its dues by enhancingthe state''s share and in such a situation, the NTPC shouldhave accelerated the pace of works on the plant.

"But it is unfortunate that the works have haltedby the NTPC as the authorities want that the old dues berealised first before ensuring generation," he said.

The state was fully cooperating with the NTPC andproviding more funds for buying electricity from the centralpool, but the dues accumulate because of sudden hike in rateof electricity supplied to the state, he said.

Referring to the proposed power plant being set up bythe state government in joint venture with the NTPC atNabinagar in Aurangabad, Kumar said, his government wasconsidering the just demands of the farmers on landacquisition. PTI AJK PR

PR02072023SNP02072053