Guwahati – The Assam Congress has called for an in-depth investigation into a 90-megawatt solar power project in the state, operated jointly by Azure Power and Adani Green, amidst growing scrutiny of the Adani Group’s business practices.
State Congress President Bhupen Kumar Borah has raised questions about the project’s rapid timeline, pointing to a meeting between Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in August 2021. The project was inaugurated just six months later, under a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL).
Borah drew parallels to controversies in Andhra Pradesh, citing U.S. court documents that allege former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy received kickbacks amounting to Rs 25 lakh per megawatt for a 7,000 MW solar deal with the Adani Group. He suggested the Assam project could require similar scrutiny.
The Congress leader also expressed alarm over potential land acquisition in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. “There are reports that 7,000 bighas of tribal land are being eyed by the Adani Group. This raises serious concerns about land rights and environmental impacts,” Borah said.
Borah called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the matter, particularly the involvement of Chief Minister Sarma, should Congress leader Rahul Gandhi bring the issue to Parliament. He also questioned the selective targeting by enforcement agencies. “Why are they silent on Adani’s dealings while pursuing other chief ministers for smaller amounts?”
The Adani Group has refuted allegations of wrongdoing, including claims made in U.S. court filings about its green energy subsidiary’s directors. The controversy follows Rahul Gandhi’s renewed demand for Adani’s arrest over alleged violations of Indian and American laws.
As the opposition intensifies its focus on the Adani Group, the solar project in Assam could emerge as a flashpoint, with the Congress demanding transparency and accountability in the state’s green energy initiatives.