No progress in MSEB bribe case probe
Prafulla Marpakwar , TNN 14 October 2009

MUMBAI: Nine months after a high-level inquiry was ordered into an alleged multi-crore scam involving the purchase of high-pressure valves for the
Khaparkheda thermal power project in Nagpur district, prima
facie it appears that the probe is yet to take off.

On the basis of a disclosure made by Mario Cavinom - a senior executive of US-based Control Companies - saying he had paid a huge bribe to officials of Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) to secure a contract for the supply of high-pressure valves, then Mahagenco managing director Ajoy Mehta had appointed MSEB finance director G J Girase to probe into the charges of corruption.

However, MSEB officials now say they are in the dark about the present status of the investigation.

Nearly three months after TOI reported the scam on January 12, Indian ambassador to the US, Meera Shankar, wrote to the PMO on the disclosures made by a section of nominees of US companies on bribes paid to Indian officials to secure contracts.

According to reports, Cavinom had confirmed before a court in the US that he had bribed senior officials of MSEB to secure a contract. Between 2001 and 2002, MSEB had entered into an agreement with the US-based firm for supply of valves for Rs 7 crore.

After a row over the quality of valves, MSEB did not renew the contract. Instead, it awarded a new contract to Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. According to reports, A S Pophale and A M Ambhore were the officials responsible for the purchase of high-pressure valves. Both had retired a few years ago. A senior MSEB official said Cavinom paid nearly $1 million as bribe.