Probe on Ajoy Mehta’s MSEDCL tenure

The state government has announced a preliminary enquiry into some of the decisions taken by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Ajoy Mehta during his tenure as managing director of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (MSEDCL).

The move is a follow up to allegations by the Opposition, during a discussion in the Legislative Assembly on power supply issues, of many scams taking place in the MSEDCL during Mr Mehta’s tenure as MD.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil had alleged, “During Mehta’s tenure, he cleared tenders worth Rs 4,372 crore in a day. The tenders were cleared by changing the tender conditions at the company level.” Mr Vikhe-Patil also said he had the documents to prove his allegations. “The government should initiate an enquiry against Mehta,” said Mr Vikhe Patil.

Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar also said, “The distribution company has bought over two lakh electricity meters for domestic users, of which most meters were faulty. When Mr Mehta was MD of MSEDCL, he went on foreign trips 10 times without the government’s permission, which is necessary.”

Another Congress legislator Sunil Kedar also demanded an enquiry into the issue. “The government should set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to enquire the matter. The energy minister should the same in the House,” said Mr Kedar.

Energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, while replying on the issues refused the demand for an SIT enquiry.

“The state will make a preliminary enquiry of the allegations, and if needed, then we will decide about a further enquiry. The report of the preliminary enquiry will be submitted in three months,” Mr Bawankule added that although there are complaints against Mr Mehta, he had done a “good job” as MD of MSEDCL.