News
Saturday, June 09, 2012
SC concerned over delayed power projectsBy Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday asked secretaries of ministries of water and power and finance to explain as to why ‘Bill of Lading’ for machinery and equipment of Nandipur and Chichu Ki Malian rental power projects were not issued.
A three-member SC bench heard a petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
The SC told the two officers that if they failed to satisfy the bench, the court would initiate action against them under the Efficiency and Disciplinary Act.
Earlier, the SC had asked the government to furnish the list regarding delay in concluding the contracts of Nandipur and Chichu Ki Malian projects, which affected national exchequer adversely.
During the hearing, the petitioner contended that both the projects were not materialised well in time due to delay in issuance of ‘Bill of Lading’ from the authorities concerned, saying the equipment and machinery of the projects were still in Beijing and Karachi.
The chief justice said that responsibility must be fixed on those who were holding the charge during the time when the Law Ministry had delayed the process in relation to finalisation of Nandipur and Chichu Ki Malian power project contracts.
“The delay deprived the national kitty of Rs 13 billion”, he observed.
An official of the Law Ministy, Raja Naeem, sought more in the matter with a plea that ministry’s counsel Dr Khalid Ranjha was on general adjournment.
The bench said that the SC had earlier asked the Ministry of Water and Power secretary and others to file their objections, if any, over the commission report of Justice (r) Rehmat Hussain Jafri, which found a Rs 113 billion loss due to delay in execution of contract of Nandipur and Chichu Ki Malian projects.
It said the Law Ministry has not filed its objection over the report, which means it has accepted the responsibility.
Meanwhile, the court directed Deputy Attorney General Shafi Muhammad Chandio to submit a list of the officials “responsible” for delay in issuing ‘Bill of Lading’. in the chamber of Justice Jawwad Khawaja until 3 pm.
However, an official of AGP office confirmed that replies were not submitted in Justice Khawaja’s chamber due to shortage of time, which he said would be produced on today (Saturday).
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk