Kiren Rijiju denies any role in release of payments related to Hydro power project

The Ministry of Power has denied any role of Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju in release of payments related to the power project in Arunachal Pradesh. Reacting to media reports and allegations by the Congress about irregularities in the project, the Ministry termed the charges as baseless with regard to payments made by NEEPCO. There were allegations of scam of 450-crore rupees in power project in form of false and inflated transportation bills. It was also alleged that Mr. Rijiu had influenced to clear the bills by writing a letter to the Power Ministry. 

In a statement, the Ministry clarified that payments to a contractor of power plant were released even before Mr



Rijiju forwarded a representation for the same. It said, the vigilance officer S C Verma, who alleged corruption in the construction of two dams for NEEPCO's Kameng Hydro Electric Project, had himself authorised release of substantial payments to the contractor. 

The statement said, the NEEPCO is a Mini Ratna company and the government does not interfere in the operational matters of PSUs. It said, no instructions or directions by the Government were given to NEEPCO at any time for making any payments and the allegations seem to be motivated by the charge-sheet issued against an officer for violation of Central Vigilance Commission's instructions and service conduct rules.