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Power load: 3 Noida engineers found guilty of giving fiscal benefits to builder

The action by the three Noida engineers has led to loss of more than ₹10 crore to UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL)

Updated on: Nov 17, 2021, 23:34:56 IST
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A departmental inquiry committee has found three Noida engineers guilty of illegally giving financial benefits to a colonizer while sanctioning the power load for the Gaur Saundaryam multi-storey residential complex in Greater Noida, besides committing various other irregularities in the same matter.

A departmental inquiry committee has found three Noida engineers guilty of illegally giving financial benefits to a colonizer while sanctioning the power load for the Gaur Saundaryam multi-storey residential complex in Greater Noida (Pic for representation)
A departmental inquiry committee has found three Noida engineers guilty of illegally giving financial benefits to a colonizer while sanctioning the power load for the Gaur Saundaryam multi-storey residential complex in Greater Noida (Pic for representation)

People dealing with the issue said that the financial loss that the UP Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) suffered due to the irregularities had been calculated to be more than 10 crore and the corporation, they said, had made up its mind to take stern action against the guilty.

The new scam in Noida has come to the fore even as the UPPCL is still to act against a dozen engineers and clerks who were found guilty two months ago of illegally issuing temporary power connections of smaller loads for the construction of multi-storey apartments in Noida, causing huge revenue loss to the corporation.

Directed by the UPPCL two weeks ago, the Meerut discom managing director set up a three-member committee to probe charges of irregularities in the development of the power infrastructure for the Gaur Saundaryam residential apartment comprising 2068 flats.

The committee further found that the builder applied for the power load for 2068 flats but the accused did not calculate the required load of three towers comprising 208 flats which benefitted the builder in financial terms. The accused, it was found, also recovered lower supervision charges and cable charges from the builder.

The committee said that then SDO, Greater Noida, then executive engineer, Greater Noida and then superintending engineer, Noida were primarily responsible for giving financial benefit to the builder by bungling in the calculation of the power load, showing lower cost f the estimate and recovering lower supervision charges.

“Another confidential report prepared by the UPPCL has estimated the loss to the department to be more than 10 crore because of intentional irregularities committed by the then engineers,” a UPPCL official said.

The UPPCL ordered inquiry into the matter after some local residents sent a complaint with documentary evidences to MD, Pankaj Kumar some time back.

Chief engineer, Noida region, VN Singh, superintending engineer, Noida, Niranjan Kumar Singh and executive engineer, Greater Noida, Dheerendra Kumar who conducted the probe, submitted their findings on November 11. Kumar, when asked, said that action against the accused was in progress.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brajendra K Parashar

Brajendra K Parashar is a Senior Journalist with the Hindustan Times, based in Lucknow, with nearly three decades of experience covering governance, public policy, politics and development in Uttar Pradesh. Over the years, he has reported extensively on key sectors, including energy and renewable power, mobility and transport, road safety, agriculture and allied sectors and issues related to farmers, rural development, taxation under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and public administration. A seasoned political correspondent, Parashar closely tracks the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has covered every major election in Uttar Pradesh right from three-tier panchayat elections and urban local body polls to Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. He also reports regularly on the proceedings of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature, bureaucracy, governance, policy decisions and administrative developments with focus on their impact on public life. His reporting is known for its strong analytical approach, extensive use of official data. His areas of interests include investigative journalism, long-form political and policy analysis, data-driven reporting, elections and institutional reforms. Parashar holds a postgraduate degree in Political Science with First Division from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), followed by a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from the same university. His inclination towards journalism began during his student days, when he regularly contributed letters to editors and articles to newspapers and magazines. In the mid-1990S, his essay, “Should India Switch Over to the Presidential Form Of Government?”, published in Politics India magazine edited by noted constitutional expert Subhash C Kashyap, was adjudged the best entry in a national competition. His work has received professional recognition, including the Hindustan Times Journalist of the Month Award for an impactful series on drinking water issues during the 2010 Lok Sabha election campaign. Originally from Kasganj in western Uttar Pradesh, Parashar is currently based in Lucknow where continues to report on politics, governance and public policy.

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