DM orders recovery of Rs 1.20 lakh on irregularities in drinking water scheme execution

PNS | JYOTIRMATH

The Chamoli district magistrate Sandeep Tewari has ordered the recovery of Rs 1.20 lakh from the junior engineer of the executing agency following the discovery of irregularities in the construction work of a drinking water scheme. The DM’s action came into light on Wednesday in relation to the project that runs from Chorda Talla to School Dhar in the village of Chepdon, under the MLA local area development fund. 

According to the DM, a complaint was submitted to him, stating that despite Rs 1.50 lakh being sanctioned for laying the drinking water line in Chorda village located in the Silpat post area, the executing agency- entrusted with the project- had disbursed Rs 1.20 lakh without doing any work. 

DM further said that to address the complaint, he had directed Nayab Tehsildar and the junior engineer from the Development Authority of Gairsain to conduct a joint inspection and investigation. The inspection team assessed the drinking water line from Chorda Talla to School Dhar Tok.   It revealed that the executing agency could not provide the Measurement Book (MB) and related documents for the drinking water scheme. The following investigation uncovered new and old pipes, along with a steel chamber at the main source. The old pipeline extended up to 940 meters and drinking water was being supplied through this existing pipeline with no new work done on the site.

Acting on the findings of the inspection team, DM mandated the recovery of Rs 1.20 lakh from the junior engineer concerned of the executing agency.