AP CM orders probe into irrigation 'irregularities'

Hyderabad, Aug 2 (UNI) Taking a serious view of payment even before completion of the entire work in the Godavari Lift Irrigation Scheme, phase II, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today ordered an inquiry into it.

According to a release here Dr Reddy said ''We are not going to spare anyone who indulge in malpractices'', promising to take disciplinary action against the officials concerned.

He said the third party quality control agency would be dismissed for issuing quality certificate even before completion of the entire work, following due process.

It was brought to Dr Reddy's notice that though only 90 per cent of the work was over, payment was made for the entire work. The bill was paid for the fabrication of pipes for 61 Km without doing the concrete lining on the outer side of pipe and non-corrosion paints on the inner side of the pipe.

Making it clear that the Government accorded top most priority to quality, he said the Government was taking seriously, completion of the projects to provide water for more than 65 lakh acre under the irrigation initiative.

''Water will be provided to 7.5 lakh acre during this khariff season as envisaged'', he added.

UNI SM JJ LS BD2124