Nagpur: Alarmed over submission of inflated estimates for shifting of MSEDCL's infrastructure for road widening works, energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has ordered that it would not be approved without a joint survey. Bawankule has claimed that National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other road agencies had indulged in massive corruption in shifting works.
"Till now MSEDCL used to accept the estimates without verification. The concerned road agency would then sanction the funds and give to the work to electrical contractors. No uniform procedure was adopted at field level while sanctioning these estimates. MSEDCL corporate office received several complaints about preparation of estimates of exhorbitant amounts," Bawankule told TOI.
According to the minister, survey by MSEDCL officials would save hundreds of crores of road agencies in the long run.
Now it has become mandatory for the road agencies to submit the proposal for shifting electrical infrastructure at MSEDCL circle offices. The superintending engineer in-charge of the circle will forward it to the concerned division office head by an executive engineer.
"A joint committee of MSEDCL executive engineer (EE) and his counterpart of the concerned road agency will be formed for joint survey, preparation of estimate and monitoring of shifting work. This has to be done within two days of receipt of the proposal," said the minister.
On receipt of the proposal by the division office, the joint committee will carry out a joint survey and prepare a report, which will be signed by all members. This has to be done within seven days. The estimate will be prepared within three days on the basis of the survey report using the prevailing cost date of MSEDCL. MSEDCL has made it compulsory to prepare a proper single line diagram showing existing electrical infrastructure and the proposed shifting.
"Another important condition laid is that if existing materials like conductor, cables, distribution transformers are in good condition and can be reused then it will not be considered in the estimate. If the old materials are not of standard capacity then new materials will be used," the minister further said.
Normally, no deviation from the sanctioned work will be allowed. However, if this becomes necessary then permission of the concerned MSEDCL EE will have to be taken.
"Till now MSEDCL used to accept the estimates without verification. The concerned road agency would then sanction the funds and give to the work to electrical contractors. No uniform procedure was adopted at field level while sanctioning these estimates. MSEDCL corporate office received several complaints about preparation of estimates of exhorbitant amounts," Bawankule told TOI.
According to the minister, survey by MSEDCL officials would save hundreds of crores of road agencies in the long run.
Now it has become mandatory for the road agencies to submit the proposal for shifting electrical infrastructure at MSEDCL circle offices. The superintending engineer in-charge of the circle will forward it to the concerned division office head by an executive engineer.
"A joint committee of MSEDCL executive engineer (EE) and his counterpart of the concerned road agency will be formed for joint survey, preparation of estimate and monitoring of shifting work. This has to be done within two days of receipt of the proposal," said the minister.
On receipt of the proposal by the division office, the joint committee will carry out a joint survey and prepare a report, which will be signed by all members. This has to be done within seven days. The estimate will be prepared within three days on the basis of the survey report using the prevailing cost date of MSEDCL. MSEDCL has made it compulsory to prepare a proper single line diagram showing existing electrical infrastructure and the proposed shifting.
"Another important condition laid is that if existing materials like conductor, cables, distribution transformers are in good condition and can be reused then it will not be considered in the estimate. If the old materials are not of standard capacity then new materials will be used," the minister further said.
Normally, no deviation from the sanctioned work will be allowed. However, if this becomes necessary then permission of the concerned MSEDCL EE will have to be taken.
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