CBI given green signal for full fledged enquiry against Ex DVC Chairman
Friday December 12 2008
New Delhi

CBI has been given green signal by the Central Ministry of Power for full-fledged enquiry against the Asim Barman Ex-Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC). CBI has already completed one round of enquiry on different allegations raised against the officer by DVC Engineers Association.
Ashok Jain, President, DVC Engineers' Association has been writing numerous letters to Central Vigilance Commission , Ministry of Power and PMO highlighting corrupt practices being followed by DVC Chairman.
Jain told Newsline that the DVC had a profit level of Rs. 2500/- crore when Asim Babu joined as its Chairman. Now that organization is running at a loss of Rs. 450/- Crore. This situation is arrived at due to the erratic decisions of the Chairman and its give and take policy.
According to sources Asim Barman DVC chairman had sought three years extension but due to adverse comments from Central Vigilance Commission his extension got stalled and was retired on November 30.

Gurudas Kamat, Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Electricity has also been very active on the DVC affairs. He has intimated in his letter to the Prime Minister that the loss has mounted in DVC by the way Asim Babu has issued work contracts to the Contractors one by one ignoring interests of the organization. Kamat has alleged that there have been other interests in offering contract by Public Sector Organization at a higher price canceling offer of the organization of credential taking part in the tendering process. He has written in the letter “the same has been done by well chalked out plan. Private Contractors have been inducted through back-door even if PSU has been kept in the front".

The vigilance Commission in its letter to the Power Ministry had written that the allegations have been received in the examination of the effect of Mejia Thermal Power Station on Environment. Allegations are also there on the geo technical examination. CBI had wanted to investigate into these allegations and now the permission has been accorded. The commission has also found that the requisition of CBI is in order.
Commission has also intimated the Power Ministry that a number of MPs have raised allegations against Asim Barman. B.P. Mehta , MP has complained to the Commission that no rule has been followed in employing officers in, the Chairman has preferred his choice in engaging Advisors. Contract has been awarded to a particular single entity completely ignoring the tender rules.

Another MP R. K. Rana has raised allegations against Asim Babu. He complains to the Commission that order on supplying equipment against a price of Rs. 4000/- Crores for the Raghunathpur project has been issued to a private organization on single tender basis. Number of allegations against Asim Babu has been received in the Ministry of Power.