IT IS official now, that irregularities marked the contracts awarded by power distribution companies for the rural electrification work under the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).
After the CAG found the discoms having invited rural electrification tenders on abnormally higher costs and the UP Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad demanding a high-level inquiry into the matter, the UPPCL management itself has now admitted to irregularities.
In a letter to all the four discom MDs, UPPCL Chairman AK Khurana has pointed out that different distribution companies in their detailed project reports (DPRs) had shown different rates for the same work. He also pointed out that in the DPRs and those finally disposed off, diversion in rates sanctioned, fluctuated from 20-100 per cent.
“Various discoms showed different rates for the work due to which a rate diversion from 20-100 per cent was found in the rates sanctioned in the DPRs and the rates disposed of,” noted Khurana in his letter written, on November 27.
The discoms are now taking up the hamlets for electrification in the second phase and preparing DPRs for the same after already having begun work on electrification of 35,000 villages. Khurana has, therefore, warned the discoms not to commit the same irregularities in preparation of DPRs for the hamlets. He told them to ensure DPRs be prepared as per the guidelines of the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) so that there was uniformity in rates.
It may be pointed out that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) during an audit of the rural electrification project being implemented in the State had found that the discoms invited tenders on a rate higher than the RESPO (UPPCL) schedule. Following a complaint by the Upbhokta Parishad president, Awadhesh Kumar Verma, the UPERC had also asked discoms to submit the entire rural electrification for scrutiny. However, the Commission is yet to get required information from the discoms.
{{/usCountry}}It may be pointed out that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) during an audit of the rural electrification project being implemented in the State had found that the discoms invited tenders on a rate higher than the RESPO (UPPCL) schedule. Following a complaint by the Upbhokta Parishad president, Awadhesh Kumar Verma, the UPERC had also asked discoms to submit the entire rural electrification for scrutiny. However, the Commission is yet to get required information from the discoms.
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