New Delhi: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has filed the case with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police against the director of the Maharashtra based private firm-Siddheshwar Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd-for obtaining a sanction and release of advance payment of Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of Rs three crores by wrongfully suppressing the fact about the Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) clearance.
Additional Commissioner of Police, Economic Offences Wing, Suvashis Choudhary while confirming the move claimed to investigate the matter. According to police, the Ministry has been implementing a scheme for promotion of Grid Interactive Biomass Power and Bagasse cogeneration projects under which Central Financial Assitance is provided to Biomass power projects and bagasse-based cogeneration projects installed in sugar mills.
As per provisions of the scheme proposals for grant of CFA for establishment of bagassse-based cogneration projects by co-operative sector sugar mills will be placed before the Project Advisory Committee (PAC).
“Based on its recommendations, 50 percent of eligible upfront Central Financial Assistance will be provided and the balance 50 percent will be released after successful commissioning and performance testing of the project,” police said.
The investigating agency further added that the proposal for Central Financial Assistance for installation of 38 MW (25 MW surplus) by one Santosh J Kumbhar, managing director, under the scheme for promotion of Grid Interactive Biomass Power and Bagasse cogeneration projects during the 12th plan period was forwarded by National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) in the prescribed format.
“As per provisions of the scheme, the matter was placed before PAC and the 11th PAC in its meeting had recommended the proposal for grant of CFA as per provisions and subject to their obtaining EIA clearance and also fulfilling all the terms and conditions of the scheme to support Biomass Power/Bagasse cogeneration in sugar mills,” the police further said.
Police added that on receipt of the letter from National Cooperative Development Corporation requesting to issue performance inspection letter, the file was again examined and it was noticed that in this case the sanction of CFA of Rs 6 crore upfront release of 50 percent amount of CFA amounting to Rs 3 crore was processed by the then director, Biomass and an amount of Rs 3 crore was released vide Ministry’s sanction without obtaining the requisite EIA certificate from the firm.
The fact came to notice when the firm was requested to provide the necessary EIA clearance from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
“The firm then disclosed that their application for EIA clearance was not agreed to by MoEF&CC. Despite repeated reminders, till now the sugar factory has not refunded the advance of CFA amounting to Rs 3 crores along with accrued interest,” the police said.
Source: millenniumpost.in
