Engineers’ Salaries Withheld, Contractor’s Agreement Ordered Cancelled
Key Points:
- Multi-Village Scheme construction halted; ₹7 crore project delayed.
- DC orders contractor’s agreement cancellation for non-compliance.
- Assistant and junior engineers face salary suspension for negligence.
MEDININAGAR – Palamu DC Shashi Ranjan conducted a review of water supply projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission, highlighting significant delays and negligence in project execution.
The DC inspected the ongoing Multi-Village Scheme near Nimiyan under the Jal Jeevan Mission, aimed at providing water to Nimiyan, Barki Bairiya, and Sudna East. The project, valued at ₹7 crore, was found stalled due to the contractor’s lack of interest in meeting deadlines.
Contractor’s Negligence
DC Ranjan directed the Executive Engineer of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department to cancel the agreement with the contractor. The DC also demanded an explanation from the contractor for delays and ordered corrective measures. Furthermore, issues like non-payment to laborers by the contractor were identified as a cause of work suspension.
Engineers Held Accountable
The DC noted negligence on the part of the department’s assistant and junior engineers, who failed to monitor the project’s progress. “Regular oversight could have ensured timely completion,” said DC Ranjan. Salaries of both engineers have been suspended, and departmental action will follow if their explanations are unsatisfactory.
Reviews at Other Sites
In Chhatarpur, the DC found similar lapses in a Multi-Village Scheme. Delays were attributed to contractor inefficiencies and non-compliance with agreement terms. The DC issued strict instructions for project acceleration and ordered the cancellation of agreements if progress remains unsatisfactory.
The DC also reviewed schemes in Hariharganj, Tolra, and Majhigawan, providing necessary guidelines for expediting work.
Present at the meeting were Deputy Development Commissioner Shabbir Ahmed, Executive Engineer Rameshwar Prasad, and assistant and junior engineers of the department.
