Low power batteries installed under World Bank-funded project
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued notices to the state government and Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited on the installation of low quality solar panels in health centers of state to maintain uninterrupted power supply and has asked them to reply within four weeks.
RTI activist Ajay Dubey informed a press conference on Friday that a bench of Justice Rajendra Menon and Anurag Shirvastav has sought the government’s response on a PIL filed by social activist Sushil Lavi alleging purchase of low quality solar panels from the funds received from World Bank for maintaining continuous power supply in PHCs and heath centers.
Under the project, Urja Vikas Nigam Limited was to install 1200 watt batteries to maintain continuous supply of electricity is health centers, instead of which, batteries of 800 watt were installed in the solar panels. Megatech Power equipment private limited Maharashtra was given the contract.
“The government gave Megatech Power Equipment Private Limited the tender in spite of the fact that the central government was doubtful of the credentials of the company. We have requested CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj to order CBI investigation into the matter”, said Dubey.
