DERC to recover Rs 35 lakh paid to ex-member for 'fraud'
Representative image
NEW DELHI: Former
Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission
member
AK Ambasht
said he had received communication about the availability of the lease rent facility from the DERC secretary, which he decided to avail of, and the proposal was approved by the commission after "due deliberations and discussions".
Ambasht was appointed as a member on Dec 30, 2019, and remained in the post till Aug 1, 2023. Before the lease rent facility was offered by DERC, he was entitled to
house rent allowance
.
The Accountant General (audit), in its report sent to DERC in Oc 2024, stated that the Delhi govt had clearly mentioned in Ambasht's appointment order that he would have the option of claiming HRA for a residence located in the national capital at 30% of his basic pay and that no house would be allotted to him.
It added that if the member opted for leased accommodation, the entitlement would be determined by the govt.
"However, the commission, vide office order dated Sept 30, 2021, approved leased accommodation facilities to the chairman/members and determined an entitlement of Rs 2 lakh per month without the approval of GNCTD," the audit observed. "The same is in violation of Section 89 (1) of Electricity Act and Rule 21 (2) of the General Financial Rules.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World
5minstory.com
Undo
It is pertinent to mention that behind the veil of commission, it is the chairman and members of the commission who have approved leased accommodation facilities for themselves," it added.
The audit recommended that the amount may be recovered from Ambasht along with applicable interest on govt recoveries.
The Accountant General (Audit) also asked DERC to take its observations seriously and inform it about other such cases involving the chairman and members.
"While recovering the same, these cases shall also be reported to GNCTD for appropriate action for misuse of power to exploit public money for their own benefit by member/chairman," the audit observed in its memo.
In his detailed reply to the audit objections on Feb 3 this year, Ambasht said he neither initiated nor prepared the proposal for the lease rent facility, and had no role in granting approval for the placement of the agenda before the commission for its consideration.
He added that as a member of the commission, he participated in deliberations and discussions and gave his consent based on the proposal and justification mentioned in the agenda notes.
"I have a limited role in the subject matter, being a part of the decision-making process of the commission. Further, I happen to be one of the beneficiaries of the aforesaid decision of the commission," Ambasht mentioned in his reply. "It appears that the case pertaining to the payment of the lease rent to me only was singled out and the same was placed before the audit with mala fide intentions by the officials of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission ," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Kashmir to Kanyakumari' no longer a slogan but reality: J-K LG Manoj Sinha
Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said " Kashmir to Kanyakumari " is no more a slogan but has become a reality with Vande Bharat train to the valley getting flagged off. Prime Minister Modi on Friday inaugurated the iconic Chenab Bridge, Anji Rail Bridge and Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project and flagged off Vande Bharat trains, connecting Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Sinha said the inauguration of the Kashmir rail service has connected the hearts of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country and will pave the way for the economic prosperity of the region. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The new hoseless mobile air conditioner does not require installation (search now) Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now Undo "Kashmir to Kanyakumari is no longer a slogan. Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has turned this decade-long dream into reality. He has connected the hearts of millions of Indians, forging an unbreakable bond from north to south," Sinha said at a public rally here after the inauguration of the train service to Kashmir. With Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) and the launch of Vande Bharat trains to Kashmir, the prime minister has fulfilled the resolve of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who had dreamt of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', the LG said. Live Events Terming it a momentous occasion that will go down in history, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Modi for dedicating the historic railway projects to the people of J-K and the nation. The LG observed that the inauguration of the world's tallest Chenab Railway Bridge and the country's first cable-stayed Anji Rail Bridge will ensure that J-K gets connected with new aspirations of progress. "The skills of our engineers to build Chenab and Anji bridges, and the hard work of our workers who carved through the mountains have eliminated the gaps that existed between the 'crown jewel of India' and the rest of the country," Sinha said. He said the prime minister has changed the Union Territory (UT) of J-K in the last six years. "Its holistic development is the top priority for the prime minister and his various policies, speedy implementation and industrialisation have brought the Union Territory to the focal point of growth. The prime minister had lit a new torch of socio-economic revolution in J-K post-August 2019. "He built strong pillars of economic development in J-K and now laid new lines of destiny in the form of railway lines on it to transform J-K at a new pace," he said. Sinha said since April 2022, Modi has dedicated and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth over Rs 1.15 lakh crore to the people of J-K. He also expressed his gratitude to the prime minister for ensuring firm and decisive action against terrorism and its ecosystem. "Operation Sindoor avenged the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam and has drawn a new red line. On one hand, the unmatched power of our armed forces is ready to protect the integrity of the nation and on the other, creative power is dedicated to a developed India," the LG said. In a major boost to last-mile connectivity especially in border areas, Sinha said, Modi also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various road projects. He laid the foundation stone of a road widening project from Rafiabad to Kupwara on National Highway-701 and the construction of the Shopian bypass road on NH-444 worth over Rs 1,952 crore. He also inaugurated two flyover projects at Sangrama Junction on National Highway-1 in Srinagar and at Bemina Junction on National Highway-44. These projects will ease traffic congestion and enhance traffic flow for the commuters, the LG said. Sinha said the prime minister also laid the foundation stone of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra worth over Rs 350 crore. "It will be the first medical college in the Reasi district contributing substantially to the healthcare infrastructure in the region," he said.
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Navy to induct first anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft 'Arnala' at Vizag on Jun 18
The first warship in the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft series, equipped to conduct subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations, is set to be inducted into the Indian Navy on June 18, officials said on Friday. The commissioning ceremony of 'Arnala' at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam will be presided over by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan. "The warship incorporates more than 80 per cent indigenous content and integrates advanced systems from leading Indian defence firms, including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T, Mahindra Defence, and MEIL," a Navy spokesperson said. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo The commissioning of 'Arnala' will mark a transformative moment in India's naval capabilities, strengthening coastal defence and reaffiliate India's position as a self-reliant maritime power in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region, he said. Designed for a range of ASW (anti-submarine warfare) operations, 'Arnala' is equipped to conduct subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations, the Navy spokesperson said. Live Events The 77-metre long warship, with a gross tonnage of over 1490 tonnes, is the largest Indian naval warship to be propelled by a diesel engine-waterjet combination, the Navy said. The event will mark the formal induction of the first of the sixteen anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC) class ships into the Indian Navy. The ceremony will be hosted by Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, and attended by senior naval officials, distinguished guests, and representatives from the shipbuilders and various other agencies associated with its construction. Designed and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, under a public-private partnership (PPP) with L&T Shipbuilders, 'Arnala' is a testament to the success of the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative in defence manufacturing. Constructed under the guidance of the Directorate of Ship Production and the oversight of the Warship Overseeing Teams in Kolkata and Kattupalli, 'Arnala' was delivered to the Indian Navy on May 8, the Navy spokesperson said. The project has engaged over 55 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), promoting domestic industry and generating related economic activity, he said. Named after the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai in Maharashtra, the warship reflects India's rich maritime heritage. Constructed in 1737 by the Marathas under the leadership of Chimaji Appa, the fort was strategically positioned to oversee the Vaitarna River's mouth, serving as a sentinel over the northern Konkan coast, the Navy said. "Much like the fort, which stood resiliently against various threats, the ship is designed to have a formidable presence at sea. Its robust construction and advanced capabilities ensure that it can withstand the challenges of the maritime domain, safeguarding India's waters from emerging threats," it said. The crest of 'Arnala' features a stylised auger shell set against a blue backdrop, with the ship's name inscribed in Devanagari script at the base. "The auger shell, known for its spiralled, reinforced structure and precision tip, symbolises resilience, vigilance, survival, and dominance in challenging environments, which mirrors the essence of the ship built to withstand the relentless forces of the ocean and undertake flawless anti-submarine operations with precise ordnance on target," the Navy said. The ship's armoured hull mirrors the fort's enduring stone walls, while its state-of-the-art weaponry and sensors replace the cannons that once defended against invaders. 'Arnala' embodies the strategic might and historical significance of its namesake, proving that while battlefields may change, the spirit of defence remains unwavering, whether on land or at sea, it said. Beneath the ship's crest, a ribbon gracefully unfurls, proudly displaying the ship's motto -- 'Arnave Shauryam', meaning 'Valour in the Ocean'. This inscription embodies the ship's unwavering courage, formidable strength and dominance over the vast seas. It serves as a constant inspiration for the crew, urging them to remain steadfast and fearless in the face of any challenge at sea, the Navy spokesperson said.
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Elon Musk receives olive branch of shifting business empire base to Europe amidst feud with Donald Trump
Elon Musk is "very welcome" in Europe, a spokesperson for the European Commission quipped Friday, following the tech billionaire's spectacular public falling-out with US President Donald Trump . The Trump-Musk political marriage blew up on Thursday as the president declared himself "very disappointed" in criticisms from his former aide and top donor -- before the pair hurled insults at each other on social media. At the commission's daily briefing, spokesperson Paula Pinho was asked whether Musk had reached out to the European Union with a view to relocating his businesses, or setting up new ones. "He's very welcome," she replied with a smile. The commission's spokesperson for tech matters, Thomas Regnier, followed up by stressing -- straight-faced -- that "everyone is very welcome indeed to start and to scale in the EU". Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0.00% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bamboo: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo "That is precisely the objective of Choose Europe," he said, referencing an EU initiative in favour of start-ups and expanding businesses. Musk has been a frequent critic of the 27-nation EU -- attacking its digital laws as censorship and berating its leaders, while cheering on the ascendant far-right in Germany and elsewhere. Live Events The tycoon's row with Trump saw the president threaten to strip him of government contracts estimated at $18 billion -- with Musk vowing in response to end a critical US spaceship programme. Explaining the rift, Trump said Musk had gone "crazy" about a plan to end electric vehicle subsidies in the new US spending bill -- as the bust-up sent shares in Musk's Tesla car company plunging. FAQs Q1. Who is Tesla chief? A1. Tesla Chief is Elon Musk. Q2. How many nations are there in EU? A2. There are 27 nations in the European Union.
