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Thiruvananthapuram, November 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Friday rejected Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan's allegations over the state's power purchase decisions, asserting that his intervention was based on official records and the need to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply.
Responding to Vijayan's claims, Satheesan said the allegation that the Himachal Pradesh power offer had been reduced from Rs 14.50 to Rs 12.50 per unit was factually incorrect. He cited a note dated October 29 by the former KSEB Chairman, which stated that the Rs 12.50 tariff could not be considered confirmed unless it was accepted in writing by the competent Himachal Pradesh authority.
“Where did the Leader of the Opposition obtain a proposal which even KSEB says it has not received? He should disclose it,” Satheesan said.
He also referred to documents available with KSEB and the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission, stating that Rajasthan had approved a power purchase agreement with Himachal Pradesh on October 17 at Rs 15.50 per unit.
The Chief Minister said the government compared the Himachal proposal with the offer from GNA, particularly in terms of power availability during non-solar and peak-demand hours. According to the KSEB Chairman's note, GNA would supply 385 million units more than the Himachal arrangement during non-solar hours. Himachal's average supply during the evening peak period of 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm from December to March would also be considerably lower than the 500 MW offered by GNA.
Satheesan said the Himachal tariff exceeded the Rs 10 per-unit ceiling fixed by the Electricity Regulatory Commission and would increase the financial burden on the state. He added that daytime power supply from GNA would help Kerala conserve hydel power for the summer months.
Rejecting allegations that the government had artificially created a power shortage, Satheesan cited the former KSEB Chairman's warning that deficient rainfall, limited hydel availability and El Nino conditions could lead to prolonged power cuts, including during summer, if a firm supply arrangement was not secured.
He said six competitive tenders floated through the Union Power Ministry's DEEP portal had failed to secure the required power. Kerala had faced power cuts in September and had to purchase electricity from other states and public sector agencies in October to avoid further cuts.
Satheesan also denied bypassing the Electricity Minister or improperly interfering in official files. He said the file had been forwarded to him by the minister for a decision and that he had examined the financial implications before taking a call.
Taking aim at the previous LDF government, Satheesan recalled that it had scrapped a 25-year power purchase agreement signed during the UDF regime at Rs 4.29 per unit after eight years, and later purchased electricity from private agencies at rates ranging from Rs 8 to Rs 14 per unit.
“No decision that imposes an additional financial burden on the people will be taken by this government,” he said.