Probe body's findings: Kachhi Canal project okayed sans its feasibility study

An inquiry committee constituted by Council of Common Interest (CCI) to investigate the irregularities in mega Kachhi Canal Project has held the then deputy chairman Planning Commission and Chief (Water Resources) guilty in its final findings.
According to documents available with Business Recorder, the inquiry committee observed that the Kachhi Canal Project was approved without conducting a feasibility study and hence the manual for development projects was not followed; in addition then deputy chairman Planning Commission Dr Shahid Amjid (27-07-2000 to 08-08-2003) and Chief (water resources) Abdul Hafees Qaisar failed to take note of this irregularity.
The Kachhi Canal Project was delayed and its price soared from Rs 57.6 billion to Rs 102.1 billion due to poor planning, faulty design, corruption and haphazard implementation. On reports that the project was subjected to massive illegalities, the CCI approved the formation of an inquiry committee to fix responsibility and to award exemplary punishment on those officials involved in corrupt practices.
The Project was launched in 2002 without preparation of PC-1 and funds were released for this project. The PC-1 of the project was prepared in 2003 with project completion scheduled for 2007, but it was delayed due to serious irregularities and embezzlement by Ministry of Water and Power.
According to documents, while presenting the project to the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), the then Chief (Water resources) pointed out that the feasibility study was under implementation at the time. The relevant clause of CDWP decision is reproduced as: "WAPDA should submit detailed write-up on the following aspect before 10th of September, 2003, which will be annexed with the summary for ECNEC. Details of works which can be carried out under PC-1 either without waiting for completion of PC-II (feasibility study) or because such works are not affected by the on-going PC-II (feasibility study)."
Water Resources Section had opposed the anticipatory approval of the project so as to avoid haste or hassle which may have resulted in issues pertaining to sequence of activities.
The status of implementation of feasibility study therefore was duly reported to the competent forum and the connection that then Chief (water resources) and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission did not take notice of this is not factual.
The source told Business Reorder that the Ministry of Water and Power (Ministry of Energy) did not consult the related stockholders including agriculture engineers and water management experts and relaxed rules of contracts to grant favour to specific companies.