Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 25 January 2025
The Chairman of the Congress Campaign Committee for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Mr. TSG Bhasker, has expressed strong opposition to the recent move by the A&N Administration to privatize the Electricity Department. The concern arises following the tender floated by the Administration (Tender Ref. No. M-17051/1/1/2022-EE (NRSE) dated October 24, 2024) for the sale of 100% shares of the department.
In letters addressed to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Power Minister, and Local Administration, Mr. Bhasker denounced the Central Government’s decision to privatize a critical public utility, stating that it would prioritize corporate profits over the welfare of the residents.
“Privatizing essential services like electricity will only burden the people with higher tariffs,” Mr. Bhasker stated. “Instead of catering to private entities like Adani and Ambani, the government should focus on ensuring public control of such vital services to improve the lives of common citizens.”
Highlighting the adverse effects on employees, Mr. Bhasker pointed out that the livelihoods of government employees in the electricity department are at risk. “These employees have contributed years to building and maintaining the islands’ power infrastructure. Privatization not only threatens their job security but also risks disrupting the efficiency of the electricity system,” he remarked.
Additionally, Mr. Bhasker criticized the lack of transparency in the privatization process. He cited the high cost of accessing the Request for Proposal (RFP) documents, priced at Rs. 5.9 lakh, which he claimed made scrutiny inaccessible to the general public. Furthermore, he raised concerns about the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of Rs. 23 crore, suggesting an approximate project valuation of Rs. 1,150 crore, but said that crucial details remain undisclosed.
He also pointed out inconsistencies in the tender, including a mismatch between the 180-day bid validity and a 30-day work period, calling it “a cause for confusion.”
Urging the Central Government to withdraw the privatization plan, Mr. Bhasker emphasized the Congress Party’s resolve to oppose any such move. “The Congress Party will continue to resist this attempt to privatize the electricity department. If necessary, we will stage mass demonstrations to protect the rights and interests of the Islanders,” he asserted.
The privatization proposal has sparked debate in the Union Territory, with stakeholders demanding clarity and transparency in the administration’s approach to handling essential public services.