Delays in the commissioning of the Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS) has cost the exchequer a loss of over Rs. 4,000 crore, says the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India report on public sector undertakings.
It says Escom’s purchase of high-cost power from private generators, due to under-generation in the State power station, led to further losses.
The performance audit of the BTPS for the year-ending March 2014, tabled in the Legislative Council on Friday, said the delay of 15 months in completion of Unit I cost the State an additional burden of Rs. 1,257 crore. The delay in Unit II by 27 months resulted in loss of potential revenue of Rs. 1,391 crore. As a result, the State procured power from private sources at “higher rates”, with an additional burden of Rs. 1,518 crore. On Escoms, the CAG noted that “underdrawal of available energy” from the State’s generator, and resorting to “purchase at higher costs from other sources” resulted in extra expenditure of up to Rs. 1,434 crore.
