Cancel tenders awarded to companies yet to commence work under PM KUSUM-C scheme, says CESC MD

The Hindu

2 days ago

Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) Managing Director K.M. Munigopal Raju directed officials to cancel tenders awarded to companies under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan-C (PM KUSUM-C) scheme which have not yet commenced works despite an approaching deadline.
He was speaking at a progress review meeting of the scheme with senior officials of CESC, here on Friday.
The PM KUSUM envisages provision of energy and water security to farmers, and component C of the scheme enables solarisation of grid-connected agriculture pumps which assures day-time power to farmers.
Mr. Raju said that even if the tenders awarded to companies yet to start works have already received the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), they should be cancelled and fresh ones be invited.
The progress review covered the ongoing works and performances of all agencies which were awarded the tender and the contract to implement the PM KUSUM-C scheme across five districts under the jurisdiction of the CESC.
The CESC Managing Director said that a detailed discussion on the PM KUSUM-C scheme was held in a meeting chaired by the Energy Minister, and August 20 has been fixed as the deadline for the commencement of work.
Mr. Raju stated that there were directions from the Energy Minister that notices be issued to erring agencies who have delayed the commencement of work despite receiving the PPAs. Agencies that have secured the tender must identify suitable land and begin work without delay and CESC officials must follow up the process with a sense of urgency, he added.
'CESC has set a target of generating at least 5 MW of electricity within three months through KUSUM-C. However, it is disappointing that several agencies have not commenced work despite obtaining PPAs months ago. These agencies must take the matter seriously and begin implementation. If problems such as land availability cannot be resolved, their tenders will be withdrawn,' warned Mr. Raju.
He pointed out that government land may not be available at all locations for the implementation of the KUSUM-C scheme and said that in such areas, private land should be procured and work should commence.
In places where it is difficult to get the required extent of land, work should begin based on the available area, and the CESC Executive Engineers and staff below them should help identify the land at the local places and help expedite the process for effective implementation of the project, said Mr. Raju.
The meeting was attended by CESC Technical Director D.J. Divakar, Mysuru Zone Chief Engineer Mrutyunjaya, Hassan Zone Chief Engineer Harish, and CESC General Manager for IT and MIS Ramaswamy, among others.