Adani US Indictment: BJD Says Allegations Of Bribe To Odisha Govt Officials False

Bhubaneswar, Nov 22: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which was in power in Odisha from 2000 till June 2024, today said the allegations that state government officials took bribes from the Adani Group for supply of renewable energy to the state from the central pool, are ‘baseless and incorrect’.

The BJD in a press note said, power purchase agreement made in 2021 was between two government agencies – a Central Govt Public Sector Undertaking which is a Mini Navratna of Govt of India – SECI. (under the Union Ministry of Renewable Energy) and a state govt PSU Gridco – solely for the purpose of supply of renewable energy.

“This is part of a central government scheme called the Manufacturing linked Solar Scheme. The agreement was to procure 500MW of renewable energy from SECI at the lowest rates discovered by SECI and it was between two government entities. There was no engagement with any private party whatsoever, including the Adani group,” the BJD said.

In fact to fulfil the renewable energy commitments. the state has been procuring renewable energy from central government PSUs like SECI and NTPC from 2011 onwards. “Hence these allegations with respect to Odisha are baseless and incorrect,” former minister and senior leader Pratap Deb said.

Gautam Adani including his nephew Sagar Adani, have been charged by the US Department of Justice with paying bribes to unidentified government officials of several states including Odisha to buy expensive solar power.

Adani Group, however, denied the charges saying the allegations by US prosecutors are “baseless” and the conglomerate is “compliant with all laws”.