Purchase of solar lights under a cloud

Palampur, January 24

The purchase of high-mast solar lights by several panchayats in Jaisinghpur subdivision of Palampur is under a cloud. The panchayats had purchased the lights through the Block Development Officers (BDO) of Panchrukhi and Jaisinghpur. The Kangra Deputy Commissioner had released funds for the purchase of lights under sectoral decentralised planning.

All government or semi- government departments are bound to purchase solar lights from HIMURJA, a state agency dealing with the solar energy programme. However, the Block Development Officers did not follow the guidelines and purchased solar lights from a private company.

The company which has been assigned the task to install the lights has no rate contract with the government. Besides, no tenders have been published in local newspapers for the purchase of solar lights, which is mandatory as the cost of one light exceeds Rs 1 lakh. At the same time, the lights have already been installed at many points.

However, Ajeet Paul, junior engineer in the BDO office, said that all formalities were completed before the lights were purchased.