Kerala CM, Opposition Trade Barbs Over Power Supply Procurement Decision

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday defended the state government's decision to procure power from private supplier GNA Energy, stating that the proposal had received tacit approval from the Kerala State Electricity Board's then-CMD. During a heated exchange in the assembly, Vijayan asserted that the power procurement arrangement was vetted through proper channels before approval. The CM indicated that the previous KSEB CMD had assessed the GNA Energy proposal favorably, suggesting it could be considered as a viable option for meeting the state's electricity requirements. Opposition Leader VD Satheesan, however, challenged the government's selection process, demanding clarification on the criteria used to prioritize the GNA Energy deal over a competing proposal from the Himachal Pradesh government. Satheesan's questioning centered on the transparency and rationale behind the procurement decision, suggesting the government had not adequately justified why it favored the private supplier's bid. The power supply arrangement has emerged as a point of contention between the ruling and opposition benches, with questions raised about procurement procedures and due diligence in such critical infrastructure decisions.