CM declines CBI probe into Karcham Wangtoo project agreements with Jaypee Group

Shimla: Declining to order a CBI probe into changes made in the agreements with Jaypee group for execution of the 1000 MW Karcham Wangtoo project, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that the government would only consider it should the opposition ask for one in writing.

Replying to a question by senior congress leader GS Bali, the chief minister placed in the house copies of memorandum of understanding signed between the government and the Jaypee group on 28.8.1993 and the implementation agreement signed on 18.11.1999.

The documents also presented a comparative of the changes that were subsequently made in the year May 2001 and December 2007 in supplementary implementation agreements.

Dhumal said that in accordance with the agreement signed in 1999, the project was to be completed by 2009 with their being an incentive for early completion and a penalty for delays.

He also revealed that after polling for general assembly elections was held on 19.12.2007, the then congress government the very next day (20.12.2007) signed and supplementary agreement under which an extension of two years was granted without levying any penalty.

The chief minister also accused the previous congress government of forfeiting Rs 22 Cr that was to be paid by the project developer towards local area development fund.

According to the agreement, the project with an installed capacity of 1000 MW, has to provide 12% free power for first 12 years and 18% for the balance 28 years. After 40 years the project has to be handed over to the state.

When Bali sought to know whether the project was of 1000 MW with a permitted 10% deviation, Dhumal responded that a committee had been set up to see what the maximum generation capacity of the plant set up on Satluj River was.

He said that since commissioning of the plant on 26.5.2011, the maximum generation in a month recorded was in September, 2011 at 480.80 million units and the highest generation recorded was 900 MW on 17.8.2011.

The techno-economic clearance accorded by central electricity authority on 31.3.2011 was for a 1000 MW plant consisting of four units of 250 MW each, he said.

Not satisfied with the chief minister response, Bali demanded a CBI probe into the changes made in the agreements, the benefits that the project developer was given and the losses that the state exchequer incurred in the whole process.

The chief minister responded that the facts were well documented but if the lawmaker still demanded a CBI probe, he would need to give it in writing.

In the din Bali was heard saying that he was willing to give it in writing there and then.

Photo: Ravinder Makhaik

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