Alleging graft and favouritism, TUR demands resignation of Meghalaya Power Minister

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Exposing alleged financial anomalies of Rs 450.76 crore in the Meghalaya Power department, the 'Thma U Rangli-Juki' (TUR) has also demanded resignation of the State Power Minister.

In a blistering attack against the government, the TUR has issued a statement along with figures to substantiate their charges of allegations while carrying out the 'Saubhagaya' scheme and also the 'Smart Meter' project.

The 'Saubhagya' is a Central government scheme to ensure that every rural household in India is electrified. It is an extension of the 'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana' (RGGVY) and the 'Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana'. As the nodal agency, the scheme is implemented in the State by the MeECL (Meghalaya Electricity Corporation Limited).

The TUR has alleged that two agencies were given the contract without competitive bidding. To implement the 'Saubhagya' scheme in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills (Eastern region), the contract was awarded to the 'Satnam Global Infra Projects Ltd, Delhi' while the same was awarded to the 'Onycon Enterprises, Mumbai' to be implemented in the Garo Hills (Western region).

"Competitive bidding for these contracts was an eyewash and conditions were created to favour certain bidders,"stated the TUR in its statement, adding, "These contracts were based on bids which were on an average higher than the usual rates at which MeECL was procuring similar materials for other rural electrification schemes. Procurement of materials constituted 70% of the total project cost."

Citing instances, the TUR referred to the cement bags. It stated in the statement that each such cement bags normally costs Rs 360; but the item was procured at the rate of Rs 857 (an escalation of 138%). It similarly referred to electricity poles and alleged that though each of such poles normally costs Rs 11,900, it was procured at the rate of Rs 17,145 (indicating an escalation of 44%); similar is the case while purchasing transformers which, it alleged, indicate escalation cost of as high as 144%.

"This corrupt pricing is across the board in procurement of the materials. We therefore feel that on an average the escalation has been between 90% to 100%. And since the work has not been completed, we can easily assume that 20% of the amount of the scheme lies with the suppliers.

''The Saubhagya Garo Hills is estimated at Rs 270 crore, read the statement. In the Assembly last year, the Chief Minister defended the implementation of the scheme by stating that all the procedures were followed in the selection of implementing companies -- Onycon and Satnam Global. Through what has been reported in the media about the decision and which is now available in the public domain about the Saubhagya (A), TUR stated the onus is now on the government to institute an independent investigation in these matters. We demand that the investigation in this regard has to be done by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) to fix responsibility as well as recover the amount of Rs 293.75 crore from the supplier or implementing corporation. Therefore, the organisation has demanded an independent investigation by the CBI should be immediately instituted.

Besides, the TUR has also asked the government, ''There should be protection of all whistle blowers who have tried to highlight this daylight robbery and deliberate attempt to derail one of the most prestigious public utilities of the State.

Also Read: Buyer-Seller Meet held at State Convention Centre in Shillong

Also Watch: Suren Phukan's bike rally receives massive support at Digboi