''8 Haryana power projects lack transparency''

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 28

The functioning of the Power Department, headed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, is in the spotlight again, with chairman of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) Jagjeet Singh raising a red flag over the procedure followed for the setting up of eight mini hydropower projects in the state.

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In a dissenting note that forms part of an order of approval to purchase power from the proposed eight projects on the Kaushalya and the Ghaggar in Chandigarh’s vicinity, Jagjeet Singh said: “Lack of transparency in the selection of developers and verification of hydrological data by an independent agency have put public interest at risk, and, therefore, it needs further deliberations.”

The note further reads: “It appears that all projects have been proposed by the same party, along with family members, and divided into various projects of 100-KW to gain capital subsidy.”

The Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC) had moved HERC, seeking approval for the power purchase agreement and issuing of letter of intent that would make them eligible to get subsidy running into crores from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

While two HERC members — MS Puri and Debashish Majumdar (both with an RSS background) — approved the “power purchase from the eight projects”, Jagjeet (a technocrat with background

in the power sector) put his foot down, wanting “additional information/clarification for consideration of the commission before deciding the case”. The beneficiary firms — RS Power Consultant and Engineers-Zirakpur, APG Constructions-Panchkula and Prem Sagar Hydro Consultants and Government Contractors — have been given the go-ahead to develop mini hydropower projects by the Haryana Energy Development Authority.

During three years of the BJP government, the Power Department headed by the CM has repeatedly been in the news for the wrong reasons. This includes alleged irregularities in the purchase of meters, conflict of interest in the appointment of officials linked to suppliers and buyers, including an independent director in discoms, and appointment of an IPS officer close to the CM as the CMD of both discoms whereas in the past this has been a cadre post held by an IAS officer.

 The alleged irregularities in the department have also been highlighted before the CM by BJP’s own MLAs and Cabinet ministers.