Chennai, Apr 20 (PTI) With the Madras High Court ordering a CBI inquiry into the procurement of transformers, DMK senior leader and the then electricity minister Senthil Balaji claimed all the procedures were followed in the tender process.
The Madras High Court on Wednesday ordered a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities surrounding the procurement of 45,000 distribution transformers by the Tamil Nadu government. The court order follows claims that the state exchequer incurred a loss of Rs 397 crore between 2021 and 2023 when Senthil Bajaji was the minister of electricity.
Claiming that there were no irregularities while procuring the transformers, the DMK leader told reporters that the procedures of procurement of transformers started from 1987. “Same procedures were followed till now”, he added Meanwhile, PMK leader and former Union minister Anbumani welcomed the CBI enquiry ordered by the Madras High Court.
Stating that more than 20 bidders will participate in a tender process, Senthil Balaji said that several bidders will quote the same price. The DMK leader further pointed out that the tender will be finalised by a scrutiny committee and board panel, and would give the purchase order.
Pointing out that even during the previous regime, the same tender procedure was followed, the former electricity minister said the agency has filed the case as if there were irregularities in the last four to five years. “There is no room for irregularities, and there is no loss to the government at this point”, he claimed.
Referring to former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s case, Senthil Balaji also alleged that the AIADMK and the BJP are selectively handling cases. He also alleged that the agency, which filed the case in the court with regard to the procurement of transformers, is in favour of one political party.
Meanwhile, welcoming the Madras High Court ordering a CBI inquiry into the purchase of transformers, Anbumani alleged that the DMK government and the anti-corruption wing of the police had been “systematically obstructing the investigation into this scam”.
He also said in a statement issued here that PMK had been insisting on an enquiry into this procurement for the last two years.
“On July 6, 2023, the Arappor Iyakkam filed a complaint with the anti-corruption wing of the Tamil Nadu police, requesting the constitution of a special investigation team under the supervision of the High Court to conduct an inquiry into these very allegations”, he said, adding that “However, as the DMK government failed to take any action regarding this request”.
The PMK leader also alleged that in the DMK regime, irregularities were not only in the procurement of transformers but also in the purchase of electricity at exorbitant rates of up to Rs 20 per unit, and “in the finalisation of deals to procure smart meters at a staggering 350% above market price”. PTI SNR ADB
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