Ludhiana; The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has arrested former Punjab State Energy Company Restricted (PSPCL) CMD KD Chaudhary in reference to an alleged multi-crore corruption rip-off linked to the set up of a 66 KV energy substation in a non-public housing colony in Ludhiana. Retired XEN Sanjeev Prabhakar and Ludhiana-based builder Amit Garg have additionally been arrested within the case.
In accordance with the Vigilance Bureau, the three accused allegedly acted in collusion and violated authorities norms to facilitate the set up of the substation within the non-public housing venture ‘Basant Metropolis’ by spending practically Rs 10 crore from authorities funds.
Officers mentioned the investigation revealed that if all No Objection Certificates (NOCs) associated to the colonizer’s linked colonies had been correctly examined and their complete electrical energy load assessed collectively, your entire price of the 66 KV substation would have been borne by the colonizer. As an alternative, the venture allegedly acquired undue monetary profit on the expense of the state exchequer.
The Vigilance Bureau additional acknowledged that the rules issued by the Ministry of Energy relating to the institution of substations had been allegedly ignored. Investigators discovered that the proposal hid a key reality — the Basant Avenue substation web site was situated practically three kilometres away from a correct highway, surrounded by agricultural fields and underdeveloped colonies. Even immediately, the world reportedly lacks correct highway connectivity.
In accordance with the probe, then XEN Sanjeev Prabhakar and different discipline officers forwarded the proposal regardless of technical objections and deficiencies, whereas former CMD KD Chaudhary permitted it, allegedly overlooking a number of irregularities. Authorities declare the approval triggered vital monetary features to the non-public colonizer.
Sources mentioned the Vigilance Bureau started investigating the matter in 2021. Through the probe, officers completely examined paperwork, departmental information, and approval information earlier than taking motion in opposition to the accused.
The three arrested people are at present being questioned, whereas investigators are additionally attempting to find out whether or not extra officers or workers had been concerned within the alleged rip-off. Additional revelations are anticipated within the coming days.
The arrests come at a time when political tensions over corruption instances in Punjab are already excessive. The Vigilance Bureau described the motion in opposition to former high PSPCL officers as a serious crackdown and mentioned the investigation is being carried out impartially, with strict authorized motion to comply with in opposition to all these discovered responsible.
