All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF)  considers the reported actions  being taken against senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta as a blatant attempt to suppress the voice of truth and freedom of the Press. Paranjoy  as Editor of Economic and Political Weekly Mumbai  had investigated and reported major scams  such as scam of  over invoicing of Imported coal  leading to massive profits  by the generators and  over charging of electricity consumers in Gujarat and Rajasthan by way of inflated tariffs. The reporting of Paranjoy was fearless, based on truth and  in defence of public interest. The issues raised by him were taken up by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence  upto the Supreme Court. The DRI is the investigative agency under the Finance Ministry  dealing with over invoicing and related Customs issues.

2. AIPEF demands that the Union Government must intervene  and ensure that the proceedings against Paranjoy are  withdrawn  and that the cases raised by him  such as over invoicing of coal are vigorously pursued . While the Prime Minister proclaims a policy against corruption  it is incumbent to protect the crusaders against corruption. AIPEF has high regard for the reporting on public issues by Paranjoy and had invited him to AIPEF Seminar at Bengaluru in 2017.

With Regards

Sincerely Yours

Shailendra Dubey

Chairman