Episode of Megha Engg Kickbacks: NMDC, MECON babus under CBI scrutiny

Did representatives of MECON and NMDC demand bribes from Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd in order to release funds for outstanding invoices?

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has accelerated the investigation, is now examining this aspect. Regarding payments made in excess of bills, the investigative agency has filed a complaint against a few Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. personnel and executives of the National Mining Development Corporation.

According to the FIR, bribes of more than Rs 78 lakh were given to NMDC and MECON personnel in exchange for payment of over Rs 174 crore against 73 invoices till December 2018 in relation to activities associated with the Jagdalpur integrated steel plant. The integrated steel mill in Jagdalpur granted the business the project pertaining to the construction of the cross-country pipeline, pump house, and intake well.

According to sources, the CBI was looking into any potential wrongdoing on the part of authorities in the bill clearing process. The agency will question the officials based on the investigation’s findings.

Opposition parties, however, claim that the investigation was moving slowly and speculate that this may be because of political factors. However, the investigation agency claims that in order to find the truth, they are scrupulously adhering to the guidelines.