19 charges of corruption received against NHPC: govt

As many as 19 cases of alleged corruption and irregularities in the projects of state-run NHPC have been reported, Parliament was informed today.

These cases, which pertain to the construction work of various projects of NHPC, have been reported during the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a reply to the Lok Sabha.

He said the records of action taken on these allegations are in accordance with the instructions of the Central Vigilance Commission and other departments.

The allegations included corruption in the form of various claims awarded to contractors on breaching of coffer dams in NHPC projects, and complaints against officers of the company regarding irregularities or malpractices at Dhauliganga Power Station of NHPC.

Investigations are on in the cases, and in certain cases reports have also been filed.

To another query, Scindia said that there are over 500 people displaced and affected by hydro and thermal power projects in the North- eastern states.

According to the official reports of the 532 displaced persons, 511 are from Arunachal Pradesh.

"The government have notified the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) Policy 2007," Scindia said, adding that the policy addresses the need to provide relief to the rural poor, support the rehabilitation efforts of the resource poor sections namely small and marginal farmers, scheduled castes and tribes and women who have been displaced.

It also seeks to provide a broad canvas for an effective dialogue between the project affected families and the administration for resettlement and rehabilitation to enable timely completion of project with a sense of definiteness as regards costs and adequate attention to the needs of the displaced persons.

The government has also provided financial assistance to various project affected people.

"The full and final compensation to the affected families have been paid to the state government (in case of Subansiri project) in December 2009," he added.