Senate body slams mismanagement in Sindh Solar Energy & Housing Projects; demands transparency & accountability in NTDC, CAREC projects

ISLAMABAD, May 02 (EPI): Senate body on Friday slamming  mismanagement in Sindh Solar Energy & Housing Projects has demanded transparency and accountability in NTDC along with CAREC projects.

A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Senator Saifullah Abro, witnessed serious concerns and strong criticism over the handling of major public welfare projects, including the Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP), housing schemes under foreign funding, and multiple transmission and infrastructure projects.

The Committee meeting was also attended by Senators Haji Hidayatullah Khan, Falak Naz, Kamran Murtaza, Rahat Jamali, Kamil Ali Agha, Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, and Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee.

SINDH SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT UNDER FIRE

The Committee took up the matter of the Sindh Solar Energy Project, under which solar systems are being distributed to households consuming less than 100 units of electricity. Officials revealed that 23,000 solar systems have already been distributed, out of a planned 200,000, leaving over 250,000 systems yet to be distributed.

Chairman Saifullah Abro expressed severe dissatisfaction over the lack of transparency and clarity presented by the officials. “Full details should be provided to the committee,” he demanded. He criticized the project’s implementation, stating, “You are not giving a break-up of solar. The advertisements are running as if Sindh has been turned into Switzerland.”

The committee learned that consumers in the 0–20 unit category, who cannot afford the Rs. 6,000 upfront cost, are excluded from the scheme. Abro remarked, “They are giving panels to the poor and are also collecting taxes. Don’t give twenty panels to one house.”

He further questioned the financial logic behind the procurement process: “According to you, the cost is twenty-one thousand and the company has quoted eight thousand more.

How did you accept the bid of thirty-two thousand? Explain in writing. What is the market rate? It should also be told in writing.” The officials confirmed that *eighteen companies participated in the bidding process, with contracts awarded to *three, including one Chinese firm. The initial bid was Rs. 10,000 per system, but prices later escalated.

The Committee was also pointed out that 10% of the charges were paid to NGOs instead of 2% normal Consultancy rates paid in projects of other departments. The Committee recommended PD, SSEP to provide the break-up of local customs, taxes and duties mentioned as Rs. 16,800/- and Rs. 31,483.20 as Solar Home system in Solar Home System kit.

The Committee also recommended Project Director, SSEP) to obtain quotations for the solar system items from Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar and submit them to the Committee.

NGOs AND BENEFICIARY DISCREPANCIES QUESTIONED
The involvement of NGOs drew intense criticism. “Is it now beyond understanding to put an NGO in the system?” questioned Senator Kamil Ali Agha.

Chairman Abro pointed out discrepancies in beneficiary records: “There are twenty-two people in each house in BISP. The information you’ve given proves that there are twenty people from one house. Don’t give twenty panels to one house.”

Committee members demanded to know, “Which NGO has been favored, and what has been done without committee approval?” The Chairman ordered a formal letter be sent to the Secretary Economic Affairs and Chief Secretary Sindh, challenging the credibility of the beneficiary list. “Give solar systems to the needy people, not to one household repeatedly.”

HOUSING SCHEMES UNDER FOREIGN FUNDING SCRUTINIZED
While reviewing housing projects in Sindh under foreign aid, the committee raised eyebrows over Rs. 22 billion allocated for 21 lakh houses, with Rs. 10,500 per house reportedly channeled to NGOs.

“Is Rs. 22 billion a small amount? How crafty these schemes are developed to aid NGOs through the common public,” Chairman Abro noted, demanding a 20-year record of five NGOs involved along with their background and copies of their agreements.

The Committee also took serious notice of the absence of officials from the Sindh Peoples’ Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) and the Sindh Solar Energy Project.

The officials who were present at the meeting were unable to adequately brief or satisfy the Committee.

NTDC AND NESPAK PROJECTS: CALL FOR INVESTIGATION
The Committee also deliberated on the 765kV Dasu-Islamabad Transmission Line Project of NTDC, where a possible financial discrepancy of Rs. 1.282 billion was highlighted.

The Committee observed that issue had already been discussed in detail in previous meetings of the Committee. The concerned CE/P.D (PMU-DTLP) admitted in the meeting that tax amount was not included in the LoA issued to the qualified firm.

The NTDC Board also approved the amount mentioned in the LoA (Rs. 33 billion) and Rs. 1.282 billion was later included in the signed agreement. Senator Abro called for the D.G FIA and NAB Chairman to investigate the matter, summoning all members of the NTDC Board of Directors for explanation over alleged violations of the bidding agreements.

The Secretary, Power Division also assured the Committee that action will be taken against the involved officials and firms.

Regarding ADB 401B-2022 LoT II A (ACSR Bunting Conductor) and inquiries conducted on both projects by concerned departments, the Chairman Committee shared with the Committee that previously the issue of ADB 401B-2022 LoT II A (ACSR Bunting Conductor) project had been discussed in the previous tenure of SSC on Power under his chairmanship.

The MD, NESPAK had admitted in the meeting that evaluation of the bid was wrong resulting in the procurement being conducted in the wrong way and senior officers were involved in it. M/s Newage Cable Pvt. Ltd. Lahore was second lowest bidder and had been given 15% domestic preference and declared the first lowest bidder illegally.

The MD, NESPAK also informed the Committee that M/s Newage Cable Pvt. Ltd. Lahore has never manufactured ACSR bunting conductors.

After the detailed deliberations, the chairman demanded complete correspondence records from the issuance of tender till the current date made with ADB including all required formalities by NESPAK, calling for full scrutiny of the tendering process.

The Chairman Committee further recommended that details of testing reports of supplied materials and payment made to M/s Newage Cable Pvt. Ltd. Lahore may also be provided to the Committee.

“We have been fighting against Modi in Parliament the whole week, and today it feels like we are fighting with Modi again,”* Chairman Abro remarked sarcastically, reflecting frustration over officials’ lack of cooperation.

The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has directed that all requested documents, records, and clarifications be submitted at the next scheduled meeting.

Ends-Exact Press International-