Assalam-o-Alaikum-Warahmat-ULLAH ALL,
Yet another scandal in energy/power sector for embezzlement millions of money from the national exchequer ? ..and no electricity for the people ?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DAWN News: PC-Is of AJK power projects being violated
By Tariq Naqash
Thursday, 14 Jan, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------
MUZAFFARABAD: A high level meeting chaired by the AJK Prime Minister, Raja Farooq Haider, here on Wednesday allegedly brushed the issue of violation of approved PC-1s of several power projects under the carpet, notwithstanding the loss of more than Rs100 million to the national exchequer, Dawn has learnt on authority.
Sources told Dawn that the AJKHEB managing director Habibullah Khan informed the meeting that although the provision for purchase of steel pipes in the PC-1s of three power projects – Qadirpur, Sharian and Rehra -- was around Rs90 million, procurement of the same from Heavy Mechanical Complex Taxila were ordered against Rs198 million.
Taking stock of the MD’s statement, the ACS-D questioned that how the work order had been issued when the PC-1s did not provide that much amount for the procurements.
The ACS-D, sources said, maintained that the HEB should have come to the board of governors for approval of the additional amount before issuing the purchase orders.
According to sources, the issue took considerable time of the meeting but the chief secretary came to the rescue of the managing director, saying a warning should be issued to him.
What was surprising was the attitude of the prime minister who appeared submissive instead of ordering a penalty for violation of the PC-1s by the HEB which had caused nearly 100 million loss to the national kitty.
The incumbent MD is a retired Wapda official and was appointed in this office early last year on contract basis.
Meanwhile, according to an official handout, the board meeting decided to prepare the work plan of two 43 MW Jagran-II and 14 MW Jheeng hydropower projects so as to ensure timely utilisation of funds.
The meeting also decided to hold investigations into the purchase of penstock pipes for Kathai power project. The inquiry committee was asked to submit its findings in the next board meeting.
The meeting reviewed in detail the issue of 245 MW Mahal hydropower project and constituted a 4-member committee headed by minister for HEB Sardar Farooq Ahmed Tahir to hold talks with Pakistan Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) about the project. The projects above 50 MW fall in the purview of PPIB.
The meeting approved Rs147 million for Qadirabad and Rehra projects.
Posted 2 years ago on 14 Jan 2010 9:23
# 
