Chautala Demands Cbi Probe Into Deal With Abb

Former Haryana Chief Minister and leader of the Samajwadi Janta Party Om Prakash Chautala has demanded a CBI enquiry into the Haryana State Electricity Boards recent agreement with the German company Asea Brown Boveri (ABB) for the renovation of the four units of the Panipat thermal plant.

Speaking to Business Standard here on Thursday Chautala, who is at present leader of the opposition, alleged kickbacks in the deal.

He said the HSEB would pay Rs 300 crore to the German company ignoring the advice of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) that the performance of the Panipat Thermal Plant could be improved by just repairing the turbines at a cost of Rs 40 crore and ensuring regular supply of good quality of coal.

 

He said ABB would be unnecessarily changing the turbines under the deal. He demanded a white paper on the deal to explain all its aspects, including what would be done with the existing turbines.

Chautala said the repair of the turbines as recommended by the CEA, could have been carried out by Bharat Heavy Electricals.

This would not only have saved money but also helped avoid the outgo of foreign exchange, he argued.

He recalled during the budget session of the state assembly, he had warned the government against entering into any contract with the German company. But the government chose to ignore my advice, he added.

He lambasted the government for its failure to provide people with adequate supply of power and water. Potable water was not available in many parts of the state, especially in the rural areas of southern Haryana. There was no justification in squandering precious land and resources in developing golf courses in different parts of the state, he said.

He questioned the governments decision to appoint S K Mishra, a retired IAS officer and at present a member of the Union Public Service Commission as chairman of the Tourism Promotion Board. Chautala said developing golf courses in Haryana was the brainchild of Mishra.

Attacking the Chief Minister as being undemocratic he deprecated his adamant attitude in not permitting Jaiprakash, vice-president of the ruling Haryana Vikas Party and rebel Lok Sabha member from Hissar, to hold a political rally at Jind recently.