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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
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.
United News of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
80 Haryana officials charge-sheeted for use of low quality construction material in projects
Chandigarh, June 11 (UNI) The Haryana government has charge-sheeted 80 officials, including engineers, for use of low quality construction materials in various ongoing projects of the Irrigation Department, a minister said here on Wednesday. State Irrigation and Water Resources Minister, Shruti Choudhry told a media meet here that in line with her directive that there should be no compromise on the quality of construction material, 48 samples used in various ongoing projects of the department were collected, out of which 18 failed quality tests. As a result, the 80 officials were charge-sheeted, shared Shruti Choudhry. She emphasised that the government will not tolerate corruption. She said some projects were nearing completion, a stage where the accountability of officials increases significantly. After repeated complaints, the vigilance wing of the department conducted raids and took samples, the minister said. Responding to a question, she said a significant amount of payment had already been made to the contractors. She further clarified that possibilities of recovering the funds from the contractors will be explored. Responding to a question regarding the Kishau Dam Project, Choudhry said it is a national-level project and holds great importance for Haryana. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini reviewed this project just two days ago. 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, said the Minister. UNI GS SSP
New Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Haryana govt says Punjab CM's claim 'false', will approach SC amid water row
CHANDIGARH: Amid an escalating row with Punjab over the sharing of water, the Haryana government on Friday announced its decision to approach the Supreme Court over the matter. Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Shruti Choudhry said that the process to move the Supreme Court has already been initiated. "If this issue is not resolved, we will approach the Supreme Court. We have complete records and data on Haryana's water receipt, and all relevant facts will be presented before the court." "It is unprecedented that Punjab is withholding the legitimate share of water of Haryana from the Bhakra Dam. This water belongs and is controlled by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), not Punjab, which allocates water based on the needs of the concerned partner states. This process has been followed for years,' she said. Choudhry asked why Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had not raised this issue in previous years when drinking water was allocated to Haryana as per the allocations. "The Punjab Chief Minister's claim that Haryana has utilized 103 percent of its allocated water is entirely false. Such misinformation appears to be politically driven, possibly due to their recent electoral defeat in Delhi," she said. She said that during the shutdown of the Bhakra canal system, Haryana had requested the release of 4000 cusecs of water to meet its drinking water needs and to ensure equitable distribution to partner states, including Delhi and Rajasthan, as no water was being received from the Yamuna through the Western Jamuna Canal (WJC). However, Punjab released only 3000 cusecs, which included Delhi's share of 1049 cusecs. Given the critical drinking water situation, Haryana reiterated its demand for 4000 cusecs. Subsequently, in the Technical Committee Meeting (TCM) held on April 23, it was agreed that 8500 cusecs of water would be allocated to Haryana from April 24 to May 1 under the Haryana Contact Point for distribution to partner states. Despite the consensus, Punjab did not issue the necessary demand letter to the BBMB, resulting in water shortages in Haryana.
