Punjab HC directs Powercom to act against erring officials

Vinod Kumar Gupta
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana High court has directed Powercom Managing Director to conduct an enquiry with regard to fixing the responsibility of the erring officials responsible for ex parte award in favor of the contractor and subsequently for not filing objections in time.

High Court has directed the Powercom to complete the enquiry in six months and report the findings.

PSEB had awarded work of making protection of side slopes in deep cutting reach on right side of Mukerian Hydel channel to Minhas Builders on December 14, 1990.

There was a dispute between the PSEB and contractor in respect of the work contract, this was referred to the sole Arbitrator for adjudication PSEB officers had appeared before the Arbitrator on few dates but from August 29.2002 onward they stopped appearing, Arbitrator carried out ex parte proceedings and announced his award in favor of the contractor to the extent of about Rs.67 lacs PSEB had contested the ex-parte award before the District Judge Hoshiarpur but after the expiry of mandatory period of four months but was dismissed on the ground of limitation.

Even the appeal filed before High Court was filed after 385 days.

Coming heavily on the conduct of PSEB officials High Court asked who is responsible for suffering ex parte award in favor of the Contractor before the Arbitrator, for not filing objections in time. High Court observed that is it or not a handy work of some PSEB official who were conniving with the contractor in getting him an undue advantage.

It is really a matter of great concern for the Court to protect the public money from being squandered away by these Corporations, who are not looking after public interest seriously and their officers are hobnobbing with contractor. There is a colossal lapse on their part.