Vigilance inquiry into Sasan canal renovation ordered

Sambalpur, Nov 13 (UNI) A vigilance inquiry has been ordered into the much hyped renovation of World Bank funded Sasan canal works, a part of the Hirakud canal system executed in the year 2002.

The initial estimate for the work was fixed at Rs 34 crore but a total of Rs 39.89 crore was spent in the entire work following a revised estimate.

According to Vigilance Superintendent of Police S Rath inquiry would be done right from the estimate to completion of the work and all those involved in the work would be interrogated.

The assistance of the vigilance technical wing from Cuttack would be taken since the case involved a lot of technicalities, Mr Rath added.

Even role of the village committees and members of Pani Panchayat would be reviewed, if so required, he said.

The vigilance inquiry into the irregularities in the construction of the canal was taken up following repeated demand of Krishak Sangathan whose members sat in Dharna for almost a month from 22 October to 20 November 2005 in front of the office of Sambalpur Collector office here.

The Sangathan alleged the farmers could not derive any benefit after completion of the renovation work.It failed to achieve the targeted irrigation facilities over 60,000 acres of land.In the past, a departmental enquiry also pointed out irregularities but no action was taken against the erring officials.

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