Opposition Parties Attack Government Over Adani Advisor’s Appointment On EAC
Opposition parties on Tuesday created furor over the appointment of Janardan Choudhary, a key advisor to Adani Green Energy Limited (AGEL) as a member of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Environment Ministry. EAC recommends central government on environmental clearance of power projects which includes Adani Group“s as well.
On Tuesday, Indian Express reported that on September 27, Union Environment Ministry designated Mr Choudhary as one of the seven non-institutional members of the reconstituted EAC. The committee overviews proposals concerning hydroelectricity and river valley projects.
The first meeting of the reformulated EAC (hydel) was conducted on October 17-18, and newspaper reports that as per the records Mr Choudhary had attended the meeting on October 17. In the meeting, AGEL’s 1500 megawatt Tarali Pumping Storage Project in Maharashtra’s Satara came up for discussion. Since one of the committee member is an employee of Adani group, consideration of AGEL”s projects marks potential conflict of interest issues.
“AGEL sought an amendment in the project’s Terms of Reference (ToR) for a revision of the project layout after it realised that the proposed water conductor system passed “just below an existing wind farm” and that construction underground or below the wind turbines foundations would be difficult,” Indian Express added. And after detailed consideration, the EAC”s recommendation favoured AGEL. However, Mr Choudhury told the daily that he did not partake in the discussion when the EAC considered the project. When IE told that minutes do not reflect this, he said that they will be amended.
Slamming Mr Choudhary”s appointment, Congress Kerala wrote on its official X handle: “Adani Pradhan Sevak appointed Adani employee Janardhan Choudhury as a member of EAC under Environment Ministry. This committee has to approve 6 Adani projects (10,300 MW).”
Adani Pradhan Sevak appointed Adani employee Janardhan Choudhury as a member of EAC under Environment Ministry. This committee has to approve 6 Adani projects (10,300 MW).
Recently Adani”s 1500 MW Satara plant was approved by him. Eej of doing bujiness!https://t.co/m5srLcaNgl
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) November 14, 2023
Similarly, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, sharing the IE report narrates about Mr Choudhary”s appointment and EAC”s decision favouring AGEL.”Please don’t even mention conflict of interest etc. that applies for others not where friends with benefits are concerned,” she wrote.
Meet Janardan Choudhary.
He is a key advisor in Adani Green Energy Limited
He has been appointed by Union Environment Ministry as one of the seven non institutional members of EAC for hydroelectricity & river valley projects.
In its first meeting what do you think came up for… pic.twitter.com/8OleCTOzgX— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) November 14, 2023
The publication also notes that there are at least six AGEL projects before the EAC, such as the 850 MW Raiwada project; 1800 MW Pedakota (both Andhra Pradesh); 2100 MW Patgaon, 2,450 MW Koyna-Nivakane, 1500 MW Malshej Ghat Bhorande and 1500 MW Tarali (all Maharashtra).
