(a) whether there has been a gross violation of the guidelines issued by the
Central Vigilance Commission regarding the construction of Koteshwar dam
during the last three years;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the persons
involved therein; and
(c) the action taken by the Government thereon?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER
(SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL)
(a) to (c) :
(i) Various complaints have been received in the Ministry alleging
irregularities regarding the construction of Koteshwar Hydro Electric Project.
The complaints were examined in the Ministry and reports/clarifications were
sent to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). On the complaint regarding
special arrangement model used in the project, CVC tendered interim advice
for issuing guidelines to avoid replication of such model. On the issue of
flooding of power house, CVC has tendered its advice for issuance of a word of
caution to the field/site officials for negligence to prevent flooding and the
advice of CVC has been conveyed to CVO, THDCIL for compliance. On the
complaint regarding legitimacy of booking administrative expenditure against
risk and cost model and culpability of officers, the Commission has observed
that there is no role of Board level officers including CMD. In this regard the
Commission has further advised the Ministry to examine the role of other
officers after audit report. On the complaint regarding not taking action
against main contractor for irregular subletting of contract, the CVC has
tendered its final advice for no action in the matter.
(ii) Apart from the above, some complaints relating to implementation of
Koteshwar projects are under examination in the Ministry and CVC, in which no
finality has yet been reached.