2 days ago
Haryana to chargesheet 80 irrigation officials after samples fail quality tests
The Haryana government has decided to chargesheet 80 officials from the irrigation department after multiple construction material samples from irrigation projects failed quality tests.
Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Shruti Choudhry stated on Wednesday that 48 samples were collected from various ongoing projects, of which 18 did not meet quality standards.
Official sources told The Indian Express that as many as 68 officials, ranging from junior engineers to executive engineers, will face chargesheets for major penalties under Section 7 of the Haryana Civil Services Rules. Additionally, 12 superintending engineers will be chargesheeted for minor penalties under Section 8 of the rules. Displeasure notes will also be issued to three chief engineers.
The issue pertains to 23 canal rehabilitation projects spread across the state.
Minister Choudhry noted that some projects were nearing completion, a phase in which the accountability of officials increases significantly. Following repeated complaints, the department's vigilance wing conducted raids and collected samples, leading to the action.
She said that a significant portion of payments had already been made to contractors, adding that authorities would explore ways to recover funds where necessary.
Reaffirming the state BJP government's zero-tolerance policy, she emphasised that 'there will be no compromise on the quality of construction material.'
About the Kishau Dam project, Choudhry said that it is a national-level project and holds great importance for Haryana. Through this dam, Haryana will not only receive water for irrigation and drinking purposes. The state will get 709 cusecs of water from the Yamuna river through the Kishau Dam, she said.
