Agartala:After ONGC’s top brass rejected to make payment for second time for a particular work, the Shivani Oil and Gas Company, which was tasked to lay the gas pipeline upto Manarchak power plant has assured it would solve the service tax default issue by end of February, official sources confirmed here on Friday.
The work of laying gas pipeline from Rabindranagar to Manarchak has been stalled for long time after the agency- Shivani Oil and Gas Company was declared bankruptcy.
This has led to unnecessary delay in commissioning 101 MW power plant at Manarchak.
To solve the issue, the ONGC, Tripura Asset has taken initiative to pay the sub-contractors for executing the remaining gas pipe-line work.
But the sub contractors remained adamant saying that they would not resume work unless they get ‘pending’ payment.
When contacted, ONGC, Tripura Asset Manager VP Mahawar said, “ Today, Chairman cum Managing Director of Shivani Oil and Gas Company Mr. Prem Singh called up me and assured the company is on the move to solve the problem related to service tax default. Hopefully, the company will be able to clear the service tax default case by end of February”.
When asked if the company (Shivani) fails to keep its words, Mahawar said’ “We will have to wait because the ONGC could not make payment second time for a particular work. I have already spoken to our Director (Finance) if there is any provision to make payment to the sub-contactors but he replied no”.
He further informed a joint meeting of Ministry of Petroleum and Ministry of power was held in Delhi on Monday where the status of Manarchak power plant was reviewed threadbare. “In the meeting, it was revealed that the NEEPCO is yet to complete 30 percent work at Manarchak power project”, he said.
Even if the Shivani Oil and Gas Compnay has been able to keep its promise, it would take at least four to five months to lay the gas pipeline upto Manarchak plant, according to sources. And it may be extended due to monsoon.
That means the Manarchak plant will get further delayed even after completion of the work for commissioning.
