From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jan 17: Even as the controversy over the alleged land scam over the Bengaluru-Mysuru Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) is yet to be resolved, JD(S) leader and former minister H D Revanna has accused arch-rival D K Shivakumar, Energy Minister, of indulging in another land scam in the hurried agreement signed with private sector Sun Edison for developing 5,000 mw of renewable energy over the next five years.

Addressing a news conference, Revanna asked Shivakumar to come clean on the entire scandal of entrusting generation of 5,000 mw of renewable energy.

Revanna questioned the hurried manner in which the agreemernt pact was signed without identifying the land.

The private company would purchase land from farmers at very low rates for generating solar energy, the JD(S) leader said and wondered if the Congress government was keen protecting the interests of farmers.

He asked why Energy Minister D K Shivakumarhad signed the pact without even consulting his own Energy Department. "What is his personal interest in the project? Why proper procedures were not followed?," he asked.

"How can the Government enter into agreement with a private firm without allocating land?," the JD(S) leader asked. "By allowing the private company to acquire lands, the power project will become another NICE project," he alleged.

Work on the power projects in the State was moving at a snail's pace.

The minister is making efforts to purchase power to the tune of Rs 30,000 crore this summer, he alleged and said the Government should have expedited the power projects.

He also criticised the power supply companies for seeking power tariff hike every year without making efforts to ensure uninterrupted quality power supply to consumers.