There has been total transparency in the deal as the government floated a global tender and A E S Transpower emerged as the highest bidder, Patnaik said while replying to the debate on the demand for budgetary grants concerning the energy department in the State assembly last night. The aim of disinvestment was to mobilise more capital for investment in other sectors, he said.

Of the six companies which responded to the global tender, A E S Transpower's bid was the highest at Rs 603.39 crore, the chief minister said. The other five companies quoted Rs 514 crore (power generation India Private Ltd), Rs 415 crore (BSES) Rs 390 crore (Tata Electric), Rs 360 crore (Reliance) and Rs 336 crore (Hindalco), he said.