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| Engineers unwilling to join CVPP on deputation | | Incompetence, corruption coming in way | |
Bashir Assad
SRINAGAR, July 9: Notwithstanding claims of having competent technical manpower to operate and maintain the hydroelectric power projects if returned by the Government of India and even execute the new projects taken in hand under joint venture with NHPC, the State Government has failed to send engineers background to the Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited as was requested by the latter through a communication some time back. The delay in deputing requisite number of engineers is attributed to their reluctance for, they are amazing wealth and making fortunes in the hydraulic wing which may not be possible while rendering services in developing power projects in the State which of course could go a long way in improving the socio-economic conditions of the debt-ridden State.
Sources said that Chenab Valley Power Project Private Limited (CVPP) which was incorporated on 13/06/2011 as a Joint Venture company of NHPC Limited, JKSPDC and PTC (India) Limited for execution of 3 Hydroelectric Projects namely Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kawar with aggregate capacity of 2120 MW on Chenab River Basin, had send a requisition to the Hydraulic department asking for deputation of atleast 21 engineers of various ranks for execution of the project. CVPP has asked for deputation of 2 Chief Engineers, 4 Superintending Engineers, 7 working Executive Engineers and 8 Assistant Executive Engineering to be promoted as Executive Engineers, however, nobody has shown interest in joining CVPP because the chances of minting money in Joint Venture are few though CVPP offers attractive pay-scales and other incentives which include promotion to next higher rank.
Senior officials of the Hydraulic Department, declining to be named, told Early Times that whosoever is asked to serve in CVPP declines for he has developed a corrupt mindset over the years. "They are least bothered about contributing their bit in development of power projects, they are only concerned about how much they can earn rather how better they can make fortunes" the official said.
"Corrupt practices have not spared even the Chief Executives of the organizations. They are now directly involved in inflated estimates to have sufficient margin. Unnecessary and stringent criteria is prescribed in tendering for pre-qualification to reduce competition, to get high rates and to favour certain favorites. Ultimately, the works are awarded at high rates to favourites at the cost of the exchequer which they can't do in Joint Venture" a retired Chief Engineer told Early Times. He said the element of competition, the only known method of ensuring cost effectiveness and transparency, through the process of tendering while awarding contracts is increasingly vanishing in favour of arbitrary decisions by contract awarding authorities wherein the actual execution is being done through select and favoured few departmentally or on approval basis by the Chief Engineers.
"Subversion of the tendering process has emerged to be the single most important cause of breeding corruption in hierarchy in engineering organization".
"Even though the concerned Minister is very promising and most competent you ever had, engineers are playing hide and seek with him and at some times misleading him to secure their interests" he added.
However, chairman CVPP, MY Khan, while talking to Early Times said that there are a good number of engineers who are willing to serve in CVPP. "Many senior engineers personally rang me showing their willingness to join CVPP, we are giving very good incentives, there will be 100% salary hike and quick promotion to next higher ranks" said Khan adding that CVPP needs engineers from Civil and Mechanical wings also it has written to the Government to provide expertise on deputation. Khan said CVPP is committed to engage 80% local senior Engineers from and above the level of executive engineer, whether on deputation basis or direct recruitment. Khan who took Jammu and Kashmir Bank to new heights when he was heading the bank, said that there will be 100% class C and D local employees in VCPP. " I assure you 80 % engineers and 100% semi-skilled and unskilled manpower from locals" Khan said adding that the problem was of the availability not of employment.
When asked whether Government of J&K is in a position to handle the power projects in case Union Government returns back the same, Khan said, "we need expertise and we are making efforts to trained our engineers".
Meanwhile, sources said NHPC headquarter is contemplating to take certain measures which include localizing the regional organization. Sources said that SK Raina who is presently a General Manager in NHPC and is also Executive Director of Joint Venture Company (JVC) is like to be posted as Regional Director NHPC. Raina a Kashmiri Pandit is considered as the most competent local to head the Regional Directorate of NHPC. Sources also said the NHPC is replacing all non-local project heads in J&K by locals and orders to this effect will be issued soon. |
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