For the first time since its constitution, over 60 years ago, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) will get independent experts from outside to offer professional advice on irrigation, water supply and generation and transmission of electricity.
These members would be part-time and would help broad-base the organisation which is now co-owned by the Centre and the governments of Jharkhand and West Bengal and administered by the Union Power Ministry.
The move is in line with the recommendation made by the Administrative Staff College of India which was mandated to examine the corporation's restructuring.
An amendment to the DVC Act of 1948 would be necessary for this and this was approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday. A Bill to this effect would be introduced in the forthcoming Parliament session.
After remaining headless for quite a few years, Rabindra Nath Sen took charge as DVC's new Chairman from June 10. Following the decision to broadbase the DVC, the Cabinet decided that the post of financial adviser and secretary would be abolished. This was vacant for some time Instead, there would be four full-time members — in charge of technical and finance, besides the chairman and a member secretary. There would be six part-time members, including the four experts. The corporation has thermal and hydel power plants in West Bengal and Jharkhand and plays a major role in flood control in its command area.
