Row over completion of power projects

ITANAGAR, January 22: Aruanchal's Power Department on Sunday asked the M/S Boving Fouress Limited, Bangalore, to complete all the three power projects awarded to them by State Government in the year 1993-94 following the rejection of its petition by the Gauhati High Court last year. "Since the company's writ petition was dismissed by the court, now they should start works on all three power projects to complete as early as possible as it was already delayed by more than four years," State Power Minister Lijum Ronya in a press note said. The minister said, "If the company does not start works at the earliest, the Government may initiate a proper legal action as may deem to get done the works." According to records, in 1993-94, the State Government awarded the three mini hydel power projects viz Srinyuk, Domkhrong and Kush mini hydel projects of 2 MW installed capacity with a deadline to be commissioned in 1996. The total contract value of the three power projects was Rs.4,427.99 lakh against which Rs 4,242.47 lakh were already paid to the company. "In spite of releasing the payment to the extent of 95.81 per cent of the contract value, the company was able to complete one project called Srinyuk mini hydel power project in Upper Siang district," the minister said, adding "however, good progress was made in respect of Domkhrong, the civil work of Kush micro hydel is yet to be started by the company. Supply of E&M equipments of these projects was made so far." However, the minister said the company physically contributed in terms of end products only 33 per cent so far. "Instead of completing the works of all the power projects as per agreement, the company after receiving 95.81 per cent of payment, had filed a writ petition in the High Court vide WP#5712 of 1999 against the State Government by claiming a huge amount of Rs 933.75 lakh, the minister said, while describing the move as unfortunate. The Gauhati High Court dismissed the writ petition of the Boving Fouress Limited on December 22, 2000.