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Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Lease, lies & power plays: DERC's Rs 2 lakh-a-month rent row sparks audit alarm
A controversy has emerged over the allotment of lease rent facilities to senior officials of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC), with the Accountant General (Audit) raising serious concerns about procedural violations and potential misuse of public funds, reported TOI. #Operation Sindoor The damage done at Pak bases as India strikes to avenge Pahalgam Why Pakistan pleaded to end hostilities Kashmir's Pahalgam sparks Karachi's nightmare Former DERC member AK Ambasht has been specifically named in the audit findings. Ambasht, who served as a DERC member from December 30, 2019, to August 1, 2023, said he opted for the lease rent facility after receiving formal communication from the DERC secretary, and that the proposal was approved by the commission following 'due deliberations and discussions.' GIF89a����!�,D; Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The cost of hearing aids in Amritsar might surprise you! Learn More Prior to the lease rent option, Ambasht was entitled to a house rent allowance (HRA). However, according to TOI, an October 2024 audit report from the Accountant General stated that his appointment order clearly outlined eligibility for HRA at 30% of his basic pay for accommodation in Delhi, and explicitly stated that no house would be allotted. Live Events If a leased accommodation was to be availed, the entitlement was to be decided by the Delhi government, the report added. The audit flagged a September 30, 2021, office order in which the commission unilaterally approved leased accommodation for its chairman and members at a rate of Rs 2 lakh per month—without obtaining approval from the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi ( GNCTD ). "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 report noted. "The same is in violation of Section 89 (1) of Electricity Act and Rule 21 (2) of the General Financial Rules. 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,' the audit further said. TOI further reported that the audit has recommended recovering the lease rent amount from Ambasht along with applicable interest, and called for similar scrutiny of other cases involving current or former members. In a February 3, 2025, reply to the audit, Ambasht denied any wrongdoing, saying he neither initiated nor drafted the lease rent proposal, said the TOI report. He clarified that he merely participated in commission discussions and gave his consent based on the agenda placed before the body."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,' he wrote, accordin to the TOI report. Ambasht further claimed he was being unfairly targeted: "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.' The Accountant General (Audit) has urged DERC to treat the matter seriously, investigate similar cases involving other officials, and report them to the GNCTD for possible action regarding misuse of power and public funds.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
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 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.
