Yamunanagar, Khedar thermal plants incur losses: CAG

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 15

Despite the tall claims about improving the working of Haryana thermal power plants, the recent CAG report shows that both main plants—- Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Plan, Yamunanagar (DCRTPP); and Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant ( RGTPP), Khedar— have caused massive financial losses to the state government.

Both thermals plants are under Haryana Power General Corporation Limited. The CAG report shows that the performance of both plants was not as per norms fixed by the Haryana State Electricity Commission (HERC) . The operational performance of both plants was deficient and it had led to non-recovery of fixed the cost of Rs 1508.64 crore. Besides, both plants consumed excess auxiliary power ( power consumed for running) for operations, causing a loss of Rs 44.59 cr in the Yamunanagar plant and Rs 16.42 crore in the one at Khedar . The consumption of excess fuel oil in the DCRTPP caused a loss of Rs 38.14 crore while the Khedar plant suffered a loss of Rs 86.87 crore for the same reason.

The plant authorities have admitted in their replies that the excess consumption of oil was due to frequent tube leakages and start-ups, testing and stabilisation.

“All claims about improving the working of thermal plants is only on paper. Senior officers have repeatedly been saying that the plants need immediate steps to improve their performance but the government is yet to take action. The CAG report may hopefully bring the government out of its deep slumber ”said a senior officer. Under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, an energy audit is mandatory on a regular basis to reduce the production cost. The DCRTPP authorities made some recommendations after an energy audit in 2013-14 that were yet to be implemented. Surprisingly, no energy audit has been conducted since the setting up of the Khedar plant.