Private players cry foul over 'unfair' project allotment to BHEL

Power equipment manufacturers have complained to the government of anomalies in awarding engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts as a demand shortfall continues to hobble the sector. Represented by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), which have written to the power ministry, private equipment makers like Alstom, Bharat Forge, Larsen & Toubro and Toshiba have complained that state utilities are nominating central public-sector undertaking Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) for projects. Business Standard has reviewed both the letters. "We understand that a few state power utilities are of late contemplating bypassing the tendering process and awarding power plant EPC contracts to CPSUs (central public-sector undertakings) on nomination," said the Ficci letter to Minister of State for Coal, Power and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal. ref: http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/private-players-cry-foul-over-unfair-project-allotment-to-bhel-115080700053_1.html