Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Chief, Sharmila, expressed satisfaction over the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the ration rice scams. However, she raised questions about why there had been no investigation into the Rs. 1750 crore kickbacks in solar power agreements.
Sharmila accused the Andhra Pradesh government of prioritizing rice mafias while failing to address the Adani deal controversies. She demanded accountability from the government, questioning whether reports provided by American investigation agencies should not be taken seriously, especially if such reports implicated a former Chief Minister in bribery allegations.
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She also strongly criticized Chief Minister Chandrababu, asking if his silence was the result of bribes offered by Adani. She accused the government of corruption in SECI contracts during the TDP’s time in opposition.
She condemned the awarding of contracts to Adani without tenders, calling it a blatant indication of large-scale bribe-taking. Sharmila pointed out the price discrepancies in solar energy procurement, noting that Gujarat acquired solar energy at Rs. 1.99, while Andhra Pradesh procured it at Rs. 2.49, attributing the extra cost to the burden placed on citizens.
Sharmila called for the cancellation of these deals, claiming that the 25-year agreements had imposed an additional financial burden of Rs. 1 lakh crore on the people of Andhra Pradesh. She also mentioned that the Finance Minister, Payyavula Keshav, had taken the matter to the High Court through a petition to review these agreements.
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Concluding her demands, Sharmila called for a fast-track investigation into the Rs. 1750 crore kickbacks and an immediate cancellation of the solar agreements with Adani, insisting on transparency and responsibility in government dealings.