MK Stalin releases documents, dares minister to resign

Chennai: Hitting back at State Electricity Minister P. Thangamani who refuted allegation of irregularities in power purchase from wind farms, DMK chief M .K. Stalin furnished two-page 'evidence' of “bogus energy allotment” and sought to know if Mr Thangamani was prepared to step down.

“The Minister has (on Thursday) denied any irregularities in wind energy purchase. This is a filtered lie, which Electricity Minister Thangamani has uttered during the press conference. This is condemnable,” Mr Stalin said on Thursday night. In a statement here the DMK chief said it may have been possible for the Minister to talk about the issue “suppressing evidences.” “But as far as I am concerned, I issue statements only after obtaining evidences. Without being aware of it the Minister is attempting to suppress a Himalayan scam,” he said.

He released a couple of pages from the audit report signed by assistant audit officer, Audit Branch of TANGEDCO, Tirunelveli region, which stated that “the bogus energy allotment made without generation is worked out above an amount of Rs. 9,17,73,379 may be arranged to be collected from the consumer in one lump-sum in addition with board borrowing interest at 22 per cent per annum may be calculated and collected at your end and fact intimated to audit.”

While refuting the charge, Mr Thangamani had said no irregularities had taken place in the purchase of power from windmills and asked Mr. Stalin not to spread false information to tarnish the image of the State government.