Indian businesses operating in Bangladesh, including Adani Group, are facing increased scrutiny from the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, according to a report by The Indian Express. The scrutiny follows a request by the Adani Group to expedite the clearance of $800 million in dues owed by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) for power supplied. The report notes that the Bangladeshi government is reviewing the terms of the contract and assessing whether the pricing for power supply is justified.
A senior Bangladeshi government official, who chose to remain anonymous, said, "There will be scrutiny of Indian businesses like the Adani Group… We need to ensure that the contracts signed are in compliance with local laws and regulations."
ABP Live, however, has not independently verified the report.
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In addition to Adani Power, other Indian firms such as PTC India, NVVL Ltd, and Semcorp Energy India are involved in power supply to Bangladesh. Currently, Indian firms charge an average power tariff of 8.77 Bangladeshi Taka per unit, while Adani Power's tariff is significantly higher at 14.02 Bangladeshi Taka per unit.
Adani Group has pledged to continue supplying power but has urged the Bangladeshi government to settle its dues to prevent a potential crisis. Adani Power's 1,600 MW Godda plant in Jharkhand has a 25-year power purchase agreement with BPDB, signed in November 2017. The agreement, established during the tenure of the previous Sheikh Hasina-led government, covers the supply of 1,496 megawatts, representing about 10 per cent of Bangladesh’s peak power demand.
The relationship between the two countries has recently strained following the departure of Sheikh Hasina to India after stepping down from her role as Prime Minister amid nationwide protests. The interim government has since demanded her extradition to face trial.
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