Changes in clauses for coal block tender benefit Adani Group
Raipur: The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled in the State Assembly revealed that the changes made in the clauses of tender has benefited the Adani Group much and the Chhattisgarh Government loses a whooping sum of Rs1,549 crore in the coalmine deal.
As per the report Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company (CSPGC) was allotted Parsa coal block in Sarguja district. The company invited tender for developing mines and transporting coal to feed its power plant. Adani Enterprise limited (AEl) qualified the bid and formed a joint venture company with the CSPGC. The geological report suggested that the block had D and E grade of coal that was superior in quality. However CSPGC tender put grade F as base and invited rate from the companies on its basis in which AEl qualified. During the pre-bid conference AEl raised a query regarding the applicable basic price of coal and enquired what the contract would be if the quality of coal was rather than F grade. The CSPGC assured that the discount would be applicable on price of actual grade of coal instead of F grade coal. Since the coal in Parsa was of D and E grade, the clauses in the tender were changed and the AEl led JVC had been given higher price, as the mining and transporting of D and E grade are much higher that F grade.
Budget Session of Chhattisgarh Assembly concludes
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Assembly was adjourned sine die with the conclusion of budge session. The monsoon session is expected to commence from second or third week of July. In this session, for the first time in 13 years, a record 30,000 persons including 3000 students observed the proceedings. During this session the House met for 25 times and discussions were held for 48 hours and 25 minutes. Many legal and financial works were done.
Criminal arrested, sent to PCR till March 26
Raipur: Notorious criminal Upendra Singh, who was on the run since February 6, was nabbed in Dhanbad district of Jharkhand on March 20. His son Preetam Singh who was the mastermind for running away of Upendra Singh was also arrested along with a transporter in whose house they were hiding. later Upendra and his son were brought Raipur and were presented in the court of Bhilai-3, from where they were sent on police custody remand till March 26. Upendra Singh had run away from Janshatabdi express while he was being taken to Bilaspur jail after attending a hearing in district court Durg.
Nod to 4-fold salary hike for MlAs, Ministers
Raipur: The State Assembly on March 20 with voice vote passed the Bill for bumper hike in salaries and allowances of legislators, Speaker, deputy Speaker, Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues. This is the seventh time the house passed legislation approving hike in salary and allowance of members and ministers owing to their increased responsibility towards execution of public cause in the States’ 12 year journey. The Speaker’s salary has been increased to Rs28,000 and deputy Speaker’s Rs25,000. Assembly constituency allowance for both has been hiked to Rs27,000. The CM’s salary has been increased to Rs30,000 while Ministers’ salary will be Rs27,000 and the legislative secretaries will be paid Rs20,000. Salary of leader of Opposition has also been increased to Rs27,000 with daily allowance as Rs1,200.