Shimla: The Joint Front of HPSEBL Employees & Engineers has raised a serious allegation of financial irregularities within the state-run electricity board, claiming that lakhs of rupees were arbitrarily paid to contractors.
In a statement today, the Front's Convenor Lokesh Thakur and Co-Convenor Hira Lal Verma accused the management of exploiting the board’s weak financial condition for making unwarranted payments, despite ongoing talks about improving the board's financial health and implementing rationalization measures.
“The board’s poor financial standing is being exploited to push through arbitrary payments to contractors, leading to fraudulent transactions worth lakhs,” the Joint Front leaders claimed.
They have called for an impartial investigation into the matter and have urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to look into the alleged financial mismanagement.
The Front has also raised concerns over the ongoing rationalization proposals within the HPSEBL, alleging that these steps are being taken to cover up the alleged fraud.
“While the Chief Minister has ordered a review of past decisions, the board's management is moving forward with rationalization plans without any consultation with the Joint Front,” they said.
The Front leaders pointed out that despite the Chief Minister’s assurance to engage in discussions before any rationalization measures are implemented, the board has prepared proposals that entirely exclude their input. “This is a blatant violation of the Chief Minister’s promise,” they added.
The Joint Front warned that if rationalization steps are taken without prior talks, they would launch a state-wide agitation and take strict action.
“If rationalization is truly necessary, it should begin from the top. We will advise the Chief Minister to consider this as a priority,” they said.
The Joint Front has announced plans to convene a State Committee meeting soon, where the future course of action, including the format of their agitation, will be decided.
The pressure is mounting on the state government to address the allegations and ensure transparency within the HPSEBL.
