ARUN KASHYAP/ Haridwar
Discipline and accountability at Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan (UJS) seems to be declining fast in Haridwar division with the senior engineers blatantly ignoring the order which came from none other than the chief general manager. Despite clear orders issued from CGM’s office aimed at easing the department’s mounting financial burden, the executive engineers in Haridwar remain defiant.
Notably, CGM, DK Singh had issued a strict order on January 24 requiring all employees living in government housing quarters to obtain separate electricity connections in their own names. The order further clarified that if an employee did not obtain a private connection within a week after the issuance of the order, their houses would be stripped of electricity connection. But surprisingly, even after a fortnight, the executive engineers at both major branches in Haridwar division remain non-compliant. Neither have their residences been stripped of electricity connection nor have new connections been installed within the stipulated timeline.
Importantly, more than 50 government residences under the Maintenance Division, Ganga, Haridwar are still using the department’s electricity for free. As per estimates, these employees are using electricity worth nearly Rs 10 lakh each month, which the UJS pays for.
Observers ask the relevant question: whose connivance is emboldening these engineers to defy the order from the head of the department with impunity? “No matter whatever is happening behind the scene, the simple fact is that the government treasury is being plundered. It is time to expose the departmental collusion. If this continues the financial burden on Jal Sansthan will mount further and the common consumers will be forced to bear the brunt in time to come,” said an observer who is familiar with the facts, requesting anonymity.
Asked to comment on the existing state of things, the UJS executive engineer, in- charge, Haridwar, Vipin Chauhan said that there are a total of 153 employees, including 37 permanent employees, who are allotted government housing. “All will have private electricity connections by the end of February,” he said.
Similarly, the executive engineer, Maintenance Division, Ganga, Haridwar, Harish Bansal said,”Action will be taken soon to disconnect connections and install new ones.”
