Maniyar hydel project: KSEB’s takeover bid put on hold

Just days after the Additional Chief Secretary (Power) asked the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to urgently take over the Maniyar small hydro electric project from Carborundum Universal Ltd., Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak on Saturday issued directives freezing the decision.

According to a note issued to the Additional Chief Secretaries for Power and Industries and the Law Secretary, all actions pertaining to the project should be kept in abeyance. The Cabinet meeting held on March 14 this year had apparently formed a panel headed by the Law Secretary to examine the application filed by Carborundum to get its expired build, own, operate, transfer (BOOT) agreement on the 12 MW unit extended. As per Saturday’s decision, all actions pertaining to the issue should be put off until a decision is taken on the recommendations of this panel.