CPM State Secretary Pinarai Vijayan – 9th Accussed in SNC Lavlin Scam

CBI Iimplicates 11 persons in Lavalin case

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KOCHI: The CBI on Wednesday filed a report in a sealed cover before the CBI Special Court I, Ernakulam, after completing investigations in the SNC Lavalin case, implicating 11 persons.

It is reliably learnt that the ninth accused is CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan.

The case relates to the irregularities in the grant of contract to M/s SNC Lavalin of Canada for the renovation and modernisation of Pallivasal, Chengulam and Panniyar hydro-electric projects in Idukki district.

The contract was allegedly concluded at an exorbitant rate without inviting global tenders. Pinarayi Vijayan was the Power Minister when the contract was concluded.

The CBI has not, however, filed the chargesheet as it is yet to get sanction from the State Government under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to prosecute some of the accused who are government servants.

CBI counsel M V S Namboothiri informed the court that the chargesheet would be filed as and when sanction is obtained. It is understood that the Governor’s office will clear the file after receiving the legal report. It was alleged that KSEB had suffered huge loss on account of the contract which was granted without a feasibility study and without inviting global tenders.

The contract was granted to the Canadian company overlooking the recommendations of the Balanandan Committee which had given a report recommending the replacement of certain essential parts and, if the same was accepted, it would have cost only Rs 100 crore.

MoU for consultancy service was signed during the tenure of G Karthikeyan as the Electricity Minister.

The contract for consultancy was converted into a contract for supply of equipment during the tenure of Pinarayi Vijayan as the minister.

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