6 Haryana irrigation dept officials to face action over project delays

Chandigarh: Two days after
Haryana chief minister
Nayab Singh Saini expressed strong displeasure over project delays and questionable work order allotments, particularly for the diaphragm wall in the Yamuna, the irrigation department has identified six officials, including two chief engineers, for strict departmental action.
The administrative secretary of the irrigation and water resources department has forwarded a proposal detailing the disciplinary measures to the chief minister's office (CMO) for approval. The department is also considering a probe by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. A decision is expected on Friday, when the irrigation department officials attend a follow-up meeting, expected to be chaired by CM Saini himself.
Sources said the meeting will review the progress of five mega projects, including a new parallel lined channel from Dadupur to Hamida head, the remodelling of the Western Yamuna Canal (WJC), augmentation canal remodelling, and the construction of a diaphragm wall downstream of Hathnikund barrage.
"Soon after the Monday review, the officials facing action were identified and the proposal was forwarded to the CM," an official confirmed.
"Regarding the Yamuna barrage work, technical clarifications on raw material sources will also be sought," the official added.
Last week, irrigation and water resources minister Shruti Choudhry announced departmental action against 80 officials for use of substandard material in civil works. While this issue was yet to settle down, the slow pace of development in mega projects for the augmentation of irrigation and inadequate progress of works at the Yamuna barrage led to more chief engineers and errant officials facing action.
On Monday, during a review meeting of mega projects worth more than Rs 100 crore of the irrigation and water resources department, the CM was upset with the pace of work progress and certain anomalies in the bidding and awarding of tenders. He categorically asked the administrative secretary and director general of the irrigation department to put his "displeasure note" on the file, demanding identification of the officials responsible.
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