Shimla, Oct 14
Himachal State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SVACB) filled status report before Himachal Pradesh High court supporting charges against a Netherlands-based Brakel Corporation NV for alleged fraud in obtaining the twin Jangi-Thopan and Thopan- Powari hydropower projects of 480 MW each at Kinnaur district booked under section 420 of the IPC.
SVACB recently grilled two of its former Officer as they were summoned by agencies to participate in the investigation.
Two former Brakel officers also succeeded in getting anticipatory bail which was listed for confirmation on Wednesday.
Due to demise of a member of Himachal Pradesh High Court Bar association the court was abstained on Wednesday.
A three line order issued by the High court said that Investigation unit filled the status report in the matter and next hearing of the case was fixed for Oct 29th.
During the previous hearing HC asked the  Vigilance Bureau probing the fake bank guarantees and submitting forged documents before the allotment of alleged multi-crore hydro Project to a fraudulent company which was investigated by a SIT of SVACB.
Probe concluded that Brakel Corporation NV had deliberately misrepresented the facts and submitted false documents along with bids to the state electricity board and the state government.
The company, which was allotted the twin projects, had deposited the first installment of upfront premium amounting to Rs 173.42 crore but did not deposit the second installment of Rs 173.42 crore in spite of repeated reminders on one pretext or the other.
The government had also served show cause notices thrice for non-payment of the balance amount to errant firm but the company raised some queries regarding the draft of Pre Implementation Agreement (PIA).Â
The government told the company that the payment of upfront premium had no link with PIA and in fact depositing the total upfront premium was pre-condition for signing the PIA.
Finally, the upfront premium was deposited by the company from account of M/s Brakel Kinnaur Power (P) Limited which was not the allottee company.Â
Neither the HPSEB nor the state government were aware of the existence of the company by the name M/s Brakel Kinnaur Power (P) Limited nor the allottee company ever informed the government about the existence of subsidiary company.
Recently the Project was annulled by the government as second highest bidder that is Relience power didn’t showed any interest to execute the Project now handed over to public sector mini blue-chip firm Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam limited (SJVNL) by Jai Ram Thakur Government as the MOU was signed with the government and SJVNL during global investment meet at Dharmshala in 2019
Empower Independent Journalism – Join Us Today!
Dear Reader,
We’re committed to unbiased, in-depth journalism that uncovers truth and gives voice to the unheard. To sustain our mission, we need your help. Your contribution, no matter the size, fuels our research, reporting, and impact.
Stand with us in preserving independent journalism’s integrity and transparency. Support free press, diverse perspectives, and informed democracy.
Click [here] to join and be part of this vital endeavor.
Thank you for valuing independent journalism.
Warmly,
Vishal Sarin, Editor
