Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) Managing Director Bharat Lal has clarified that the total awarded cost for the 17 projects in 17 districts was Rs 583.37 crore and not Rs 641 crore.
In a rejoinder to news report “State’s bill shocks Centre” that appeared in Saturday’s edition of Deccan Herald, Mr Lal stated that the total awarded cost for 17 projects not only covers 49 un-electrified villages, but also 13,440 already electrified villages which are identified for intensive electrification.
On the difference between the sanctioned cost of Rs 375.39 crore and the awarded cost of Rs 583.37 crore, he said there was a gap of two years between the time of preparation of project reports and finalisation of tenders.
He said only big contractors could bid as the qualifying requirements for the district-wise packages were high.
Mr Lal has stated that the question of using copper conductor or copper wound transformers does not arise.
“Only aluminium conductors and aluminium wound transformers are being used. Moreover ESCOMS are not procuring these items, but the agencies concerned procure them as the work is awarded on turnkey basis”, he added.
Not correct
Mr Lal has stated it is not correct to conclude that proper works have not been in all the villages where RGGVY works have been carried out based on the inspection of 10 sampled villages only.
Referring to the two villages which the programme evaluation team of the Planning Commission has mentioned, Mr Lal has said while the name of one village has been mistaken by the Commission, in case of another only intensive electrification work was taken up under RGGVY. “These clarifications have been submitted to the Power Ministry”, he added.
Stating that ESCOMS have already incurred an expenditure of Rs 386 crore, Mr Lal has added that out of this, the Centre has released Rs 252 crores only so far. Denying that the Union Power Ministry has sought an explanation from the state government, Mr Lal has said the justification for cost escalation has already been submitted to it seeking sanctioning of Rs 208 crores.
