Dimapur, March 24 (MExN): Forwarding an elaborate refutation to the power department’s clarification the Nagaland Builders Ltd have demanded justification as to why the department had overlooked various factors on bids tendered and evaluated in leasing out Likimro Hydel Electric Project and has demanded documents pertinent to bids for LHEP under the Right to Information Act 2005 in order to bring the transparency on the issue.
Questioning why and how the department had in the first place recommended giving LHEP on Lease to NEC Energy Pvt. Ltd without ascertaining all the factors the Nagaland Builders through its functionary Mesenyi Therie it placed elaborate points of technical backup what it stated was for clear understanding in reference to the General and Technical bid . Stating that M/s MAHATI ELECTRICS, Pune is tied up with NBL for supporting Technical Expertise, Skilled Man Powers and supply of Spare Parts it stated that the Department was aware that “they are people who did the Erection Testing Commissioning (ETC) of LHEP under EOC. And they know in and out of LHEP.” Likewise DSG POWERCON Pvt. Ltd. Kolkata, India also a Technical Collaborator for Technical Expertise, Skilled Manpower and Arrangement of necessary Spare Parts for the Plant from OEM or Indigenous Manufacturers/Suppliers presently undertaking O&M work in a similar power plant in other State’s in the country, it was stated.
On M/s Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd. U.K (the original equipment manufacturer, OEM) the NBL informed that it has a mutual understanding/agreement that if necessity arose the latter’s Engineers & Technical Personnel would be trained. Meantime for any technical problems with the Machines and Equipments it was agreed to send their expertise for rectification works and agreed to supply with replacement parts for O&M. “This is a sole arrangement agreed with our Firm” it was added. Referring to the department’s letter para-4 the NBL stated that the department had stated that due to fund constraints the department is not willing to invest any further for the upkeep of the power plant. So the LHEP was Lease out to NEC Energy Pvt.Ltd. for 10 (ten years).
In this regard the NBL sought clarification whether it meant that the NEC Energy Pvt. Ltd with its collaborator KOWACO the Korean firm was generously going to generate free power; whether or not the negotiated payment of Rs.1.17 per unit power was an investment assuming an average generation at 85.5 MU, basing on the analysis of the department, the total cost amount to Rs.10.035 crore annually; if the department ever proposed or deliberated the mode of funding LHEP for O&M, with the sister concerned department i.e. Finance department, with respect to the bid. The NBL opined that since the funding pattern was never proposed nor consulted, it was the creation of the department to conveniently blame the government on the ground of fund constraint.
While appreciating the department for highlighting the scope of offer of NEC Energy Pvt.Ltd to create other facilities the NBL pointed out that it had also offered similar facilities. “This is basically the responsibility of any firms. However, although these facilities are essential for any firms for their own staff the most important of the bid was the generation of power and if as highlighted by your clarification letter on such facilities are also a factor in taking decision, then it appears the concern department had hidden the main issue to protect what or who?” it queried.
Referring to a letter of the department para-5, the firm maintained that it does not have any grudge on any other participant firms. However, it strongly felt that the concern department providing security personals and government vehicles on request at the expenditure of the State was a liability. “And therefore if such a security is to be maintained throughout the lease period, what will be expenditure incurred by the State should be taken into account in the comparative statement” the NBL questioned.
Further more the department stated that, NBL with the support of OEM, EOC and M/s. Mahati Electrical Pune was not acceptable. Therie stated that this was a ‘point blank discrimination with prejudice,’ for the fact that the department is struggling with OEM for some critical components. “Is that one criteria for taking decision? Our technical backup as mentioned at para-3 above is our concern as our firm will solely be responsible for the consequences. On the context, our firm demand clarification as to what kind of spares is required; original spares from OEM or duplicate parts, as we are solely the firm, which had agreement with the OEM for spares” it was stated.
“The department also had stated that, there cannot be price comparison to indicate the lowest or the highest and analysis is based on merit of the offer favorable to the government. As government is by the people and for the people, therefore the people interest is foremost. Hence, we demand to know your merit analysis or is it based as under” the NBL demanded.
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