Anbumani calls for CBI inquiry into procurement of transformers

PMK president Anbumani on Friday sought a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities within the procurement of transformers to the tune of ₹400 crore. The Division of Vigilance and Anti Corruption had didn’t file a case regardless of a criticism submitted over 30 months in the past alleging that transformers have been purchased at inflated costs, he stated.

Mr. Anbumani additional claimed that there was “adequate proof to carry the then Electrical energy Minister V. Senthilbalaji, former TNEB Chairman Rajesh Lakhoni, and Monetary Controller V. Kasi as the first individuals answerable for the losses”.

In a press release, the PMK chief stated, between 2021 and 2023, the Electrical energy Board bought 45,800 transformers for ₹1,182 crore. “By buying every transformer at as much as 50% above the precise worth, the TNEB suffered a lack of ₹387 crore. Looking for a Particular Investigation Staff beneath the supervision of the Excessive Courtroom, the Arappor Iyakkam group filed a criticism with the DVAC on July 6, 2023. On September 27 final yr, I additionally issued a report demanding a CBI inquiry into this rip-off. However the DMK authorities has not taken any motion on this,” he stated.

Mr. Anbumani added, “When the case got here up for listening to on July 3 this yr, the DVAC assured the courtroom {that a} choice could be taken inside every week or 10 days. However even after 135 days, nothing has transpired. As a substitute, when the case got here up once more on November 7, the DVAC claimed {that a} Public Curiosity Litigation petition had been filed on the identical difficulty — a transparent indication that the DMK authorities is intentionally delaying the registration of a case. within the transformer procurement rip-off.”

“Between 2021 and 2023, tenders have been known as 10 occasions for buy of transformers. In seven of those tender processes, a complete of 37 firms participated. However miraculously — virtually just like the eighth marvel of the world — all these firms quoted the very same worth. All firms agreed to scale back the quoted quantity by virtually the identical margin after negotiations,” Mr. Anbumani added.