Will RN Sen, WBERC chief, be made accountable for overdrawing salary, benefits from DVC, NTPC?

Kolkata: Will R N Sen, Chairman of West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC), who enjoyed double benefits by drawing salary and allowances along with several retirement benefits from the DVC and NTPC illegally, be made accountable to the company?

While at the DVC, he drew the unrestricted amount of salary and benefit allowances, a lot more than what he was entitled to get. Besides, he also took retirement benefits from both DVC and NTPC, from where he was on deputation to the DVC. "As per terms and conditions, this is not acceptable," says a senior Central Power Ministry official.

Meanwhile, after Sen's retirement, the DVC assessed that an overpayment was made to him and informed NTPC to recover the excess amount from his retirement benefits that were to be given by the latter.

However, NTPC did not make the required recovery with the result that the excess amount was retained by Sen.

The issue of over-payment was examined by DVC Vigilance and then by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). As Sen did not refund the excess amount, the CVC addressed a letter to the Ministry of Power on April 27, 2016, stating: "The Commission advises speedy recovery of Rs 20.55 lakh from R N Sen, ex-Chairman DVC, fixing responsibility with respect to DVC and NTPC officers involved in the case and taking further necessary action." The Ministry of Power issued letters to Chief Vigilance Officers of DVC and NTPC on May 18, 2016, for recovery of the excess amount as well as taking actions against the DVC/NTPC officers involved in the case.

While Sen did not refund the excess amount to DVC or NTPC, he also filed a writ petition at the Calcutta High Court that was dismissed by the court on March 8, 2017.

The All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) has submitted a number of representations on the concerned subject, particularly opposing Sen's appointment as the chairman of WBERC. "Now, as the High Court judgment of March 8, 2017, has vindicated our stand, the government of West Bengal must review and reconsider the appointment of Sen to WBERC," AIPEF demanded.

The issue of retaining excess payment has to be taken up as a vigilance matter both by the DVC vigilance and Central Vigilance Commission. An adverse finding on a vigilance matter would disqualify a candidate for BERC. Vigilance clearance is an essential requirement for such Constitutional assignments of quasi-judicial nature.