Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the Adani Group of over-invoicing coal imports, allegedly fleecing people of Rs 12,000 crore in electricity rates. Gandhi levelled the allegations citing a recent report by the UK’s Financial Times.
During a press conference at the AICC headquarters in the capital, Gandhi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate a probe into the Adani issue and defend his credibility, stating, “Why is the prime minister silent on the issue? I am only helping the prime minister and asking him to come clean by starting an investigation and defend his credibility.”
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The former Congress chief cited a recent report by UK-based business daily Financial Times which claimed that the Adani Group appears to have imported billions of dollars of coal at prices well above market value, PTI reported.
Gandhi claimed that as per the report, Adani over-invoiced coal imports and took out Rs 12,000 crore from ”people’s pockets” saying that Adani bought coal in Indonesia and when it reached India, its price doubled, Gandhi alleged, citing the report.
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Gandhi argued that the over-invoicing of coal was impacting electricity rates and causing consumers to pay higher bills, and expressed surprise that no action was taken in India despite such allegations.
“Adani buys coal in Indonesia and by the time the coal arrives in India, its price doubles. Our electricity prices are going up. He (Adani) takes money from the poorest people. This story would bring down any government. This is direct theft,” said the Congress leader.
Gandhi accused Adani of having government support and full protection indirectly taking a sweep at Modi, he said, alleging everyone knowing the power behind him everyone knows which power is behind him.
“This time the theft is happening from the pockets of the public. When you push the button for a switch, Adani gets money in his pocket. Enquiries are happening in different countries, and people are asking questions, but nothing is happening in India,” he said.
The opposition party has also been scrutinizing the financial dealings of billionaire Gautam Adani’s Group following allegations of ‘irregularities’ and accusations of stock price manipulation by the US short-seller Hindenburg Research.
The Adani Group vehemently denied all the allegations made in the Hindenburg report, firmly asserting that no wrongful activities were committed. The conglomerate has not provided an immediate response to these recent allegations.
Earlier this month, the Adani Group stated that the Financial Times was making a renewed effort to recycle old and unsubstantiated allegations to tarnish its reputation. In a press release on October 9, the Adani Group contended that these articles were part of a prolonged campaign aimed at advancing vested interests under the guise of public welfare.
(With PTI Inputs)