Dehradun: A high-level probe has revealed massive irregularities and financial misappropriation in a Rs 100 crore project for the allotment of rooftop solar plants by the Uttarakhand Renewable Development Agency (UREDA) .
The probe found that the allotments which were to be done under the project which had been launched by the Union government were “distributed by UREDA officials among their own relatives and friends.”
Even though the scheme specifically entailed that the project was meant for rooftops in buildings, sanction was given even for agricultural fields, the inquiry headed by an IAS officer revealed.
After the probe’s report was submitted to the state power department recently, power secretary Radhika Jha said on Thursday that she has asked UREDA to take strict action against officials who were manipulating the scheme for their own benefit.
“There is sufficient evidence on record to establish the collusion of the applicants and the officials who were handling the project. In one instance, the wife of an official was awarded the project in gross violation of rules. But now the state government is committed to cleaning up the mess in UREDA,” Jha said. Despite repeated attempts, the UREDA management could not be reached for their comments.
Incidentally, a few months ago, a subsidy scam of over Rs 15 crore in the allotment of the solar rooftop projects had hit UREDA after a team of the Union ministry of renewable energy had red-flagged glaring discrepancies in the selection of 11 ineligible firms for the project. CM Trivendra Singh Rawat had then said if he is approached with evidence, he will order a SIT probe into the matter.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
