Govt agrees to high-level probe

THE STATE Government today agreed in to a high-level inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the construction of the east canal of the Bansagar project in Satna and Rewa districts in the State Assembly today.

THE STATE Government today agreed in to a high-level inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the construction of the east canal of the Bansagar project in Satna and Rewa districts in the State Assembly today.

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Water Resources Minister Anup Mishra, replying to a call attention motion on the issue, said stern action would be taken against engineers found guilty. The Government would not hesitate to dismiss erring officials, he said, rejecting the Opposition demand to suspend an Executive Engineer posted there for about 15 years.

Engineers responsible for poor quality of work would be charge-sheeted following inquiry and suspended. If lapses were found serious, they could even be terminated, he said.

Mishra admitted that watering and compaction work was not done as per specifications during soil filling of the canal embankment. Fresh directives had been issued to officers and contractors to stick to quality, he added.

Ramlakhan Sharma (CPI-M) and Dr I M P Verma (BSP), who raised the issue, said Mishra, during a visit to the project site, had publicly snubbed the engineers for their laxity. They alleged that the canal work was sub-standard and bogus bills for Rs 40 lakh had been paid.

The inquiry would be held after transferring the officials concerned and in Ramlakhan Sharma's presence.