Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindhan has demanded a comprehensive judicial inquiry into the move by Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan to create an artificial electricity shortage in the state to pave the way for crore-rupee electricity transactions. He alleged serious corruption suspicions behind the creation of unnecessary public fear under the guise of an electricity crisis, and attempts to engage in contracts favorable to private interests by circumventing existing laws, regulations, and procedures. He demanded that all files and documents related to electricity contracts be made public immediately.
Speaking at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, MV Govindhan pointed out that documents proving the falsity of the Chief Minister's claims of a severe power crisis in the state have already surfaced. The order issued by the Electricity Regulatory Commission on October 10 explicitly states that there is currently no power shortage in Kerala. The same order clarifies that sufficient electricity will be available to the state from 2026 until April 2027.
Despite these clear official directives on electricity availability, the Chief Minister allegedly propagated that the state is heading towards a grave electricity crisis. He asked why the Chief Minister tried to create the impression of an emergency and push for new contracts despite the regulatory system indicating there was no shortage. The circumstances that necessitated entering contracts bypassing standard procedures and legal provisions must be scrutinized.
MV Govindhan also alleged that these contracts, ostensibly aimed at ensuring power availability, could impose huge financial liabilities on the state treasury. He demanded that decisions taken under the pretext of the electricity crisis, discussions on the contracts, interventions at the official level, and evaluations of financial liabilities should all be thoroughly investigated. It must be determined who intervened to secure decisions favoring the contract and whether there were attempts to benefit any private companies or interest groups. He stressed the necessity of an independent judicial inquiry to ensure transparency in these matters.
He further accused the Chief Minister-led power group of undue interference in the functioning of various departments within the state administration. According to him, the power group’s objective was to find areas where corruption could be facilitated by bypassing ministers and related departments. It is alleged that the Chief Minister decided to enter into the agreement with GNA by bypassing the Minister responsible for the Power Department and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).
When making significant policy and financial decisions in the electricity sector, the views of the department minister and technical evaluations from KSEB should be taken into account. However, MV Govindhan claimed the Chief Minister proceeded unilaterally without giving adequate importance to due processes.
The Electricity Minister's remark that the government’s decision not to proceed with the contract was first known through the media is extremely serious. That a minister learned about a crucial decision concerning his own department through the press highlights major flaws in governance, he said. Similar situations prevail not only in the Electricity Department but also in Excise and Health Departments, where ministers have expressed ignorance about key decisions in their portfolios.
Such incidents raise concerns that a group led by the Chief Minister is making decisions without trusting ministers or respecting departmental jurisdictions. Collective ministerial responsibility constitutes a fundamental principle of the parliamentary democratic system. However, the exclusion of ministers from important government decisions and their subsequent awareness via media erodes governance credibility. The electricity contract controversy is evidence of a complete breakdown in the collective responsibility of the state cabinet, MV Govindhan asserted.
Important decisions in the electricity sector must prioritize public interest and the state’s economic security. Movements to facilitate extraordinary contracts by manufacturing artificial crises cannot be tolerated. To verify the truthfulness of the allegations, all documents related to the contract must be publicly disclosed, and the Chief Minister's role in the decisions should be investigated. The government’s responsibility does not end by merely withdrawing from the controversy. A thorough judicial inquiry is imperative to bring the facts before the public, MV Govindhan demanded.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
