It said the government formed a high powered committee with members from utilities, financial organisations, experts and eminent educationists to prepare the pre-qualification (PQ) and the request for proposal (RFP). The Power Cell alone can not take any decision for the development of the Sirajganj 450MW combined cycle project.

The second bid for the project was cancelled as the Cell received a lone bid, and not because of any business lobby, the rejoinder said.

The rejoinder said it is not true that the modification of criteria was made to award the contract to some party under the directive of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). It was the committee which agreed to recommend some modifications for more competition and wider participation among the bidders to have a better tariff offer.

The rejoinder pointed out that the director (Technical) does not spearhead the project since the director general of the Cell is the convenor of the committee.

The new director (Technical) was not appointed under pressure. He was placed through open competition and by a formal interview board headed by the power division secretary.

The indication given regarding the departure of former director general and director (Technical) is not true, it added.

Our Reply
The presence of 'business lobbies' in Power Cell's handling is visible in the unsolicited negotiations of the Meghnaghat 3. The Cell is finding it difficult to justify an unsolicited deal but is being compelled to negotiate due to pressure from higher authorities.

The bids for the 90MW Fenchuganj or the 150MW Fenchuganj projects, which require simpler bidding criteria, attracted one to three bidders -- none with international reputation. Industry insiders say the Sirajganj second bid similarly drew only one proposal due to the country's overall poor handling of large-scale projects in recent years, not because of the criteria.

Previously the Cell itself saw many quality bidders in its successful Haripur 360MW project which comparatively had harder criteria.