AGARTALA, Oct 15 (TIWN): Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb has hinted a hidden corruption between ONGC and previous CPI-M Govt which has deprived Tripura from taxes, announcing further he will surely impose taxes on ONGC profits in coming days.

CM was addressing in a Durga Puja pandal inauguration programme at Melaghar when he said so. CM said, "Tripura Govt gave land and everything in exchange of only 1% share but ONGC is running its business totally VAT free forever and further supplying power to Mizoram, Bangladesh which means they are doing profits but in return Tripura is not getting anything".

"14.5 VAT was freed for ONGC under the MoU signed between Sate Govt and ONGC, whereas the tax could profit Tripura with 80 crores to 100 crores of taxes. When the file came to me, I found such a huge profit ONGC is making but without VAT. I rushed to the Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan but he said same is applicable to all states. I told him, it's not correct. ONGC will enjoy the benefit and my state will not get anything, it's not accepted. It may delay for 6 months but ONGC has to give taxes, if necessary amendments will be brought on that", CM said.

"But the way I spoke to Petrolatum Minister the previous CM Manik Sarkar could not say like that. I will bring modification in the MoU but it's questionable why 100 crores loss was agreed with ONGC. The MoU could be made for 10 years or 15 years", he said. 

ONGC Tripura Power Company also known as Palatana Power Plant, is a thermal power plant station in Palatana, Udaipur in the Gomoti District of Tripura. It is ONGC's first power plant in India & also known as the biggest Plant in Northeast India