Team Herald
PANJIM: Observing that the State government’s ambitious underground cabling (UG) project was marred by a number of shortcomings, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has slammed the government for delay in completion of the project resulting in lapse of guarantee on cable valuing Rs 84.17 crore.
The CAG report tabled on the Floor of the House on Friday, castigated the State Electricity department for procuring substandard materials resulting in disruption of services and for improper estimation of the project resulting in works being awarded at lesser than the estimated cost.
“The progress in execution of UG cabling works was relatively slow mainly due to ‘Right of Way’ problems. This resulted in non-completion of UC cabling works within the scheduled period and extension of time were granted for completion of UG cabling works. The delay in completion resulted in lapse of guarantee period on cable valued at Rs 84.17 crore,” the CAG noted.
“The UG in Goa was marred by number of shortcomings,” CAG revealed.
The UG cabling projects are initiated by the Electricity department on the basis of availability and demand for power, condition of the existing overhead lines, commissioning of new substations and following government directions.
CAG carried out an audit on study of the planning, procurement of material and execution of UG cabling works from 2008-09 to 2013-14, wherein 35 UG cabling works were initiated in nine operating divisions – Panjim, Ponda, Margao, Bicholim, Mapusa, Ponda, Vasco and Verna.
CAG observed that even though in many places works were completed, the commissioning of the project was delayed due to non-completion of an interdependent/connected work. At the same time, there was unjustifiable delay in tendering process in case of three projects, which were notified during the period from June 2011 to November 2011. However, the State government replied that the delay was due to the code of conduct for the March 2012 assembly elections.
“However, till September 2014, no action was taken to call for tenders to execute these works. This resulted into cost overrun,” CAG said.
