Bihar govt orders judicial enquiry into breach of Kosi embankment

Patna, Sep 9(UNI) Bihar goverdnment today ordered judicial enquiry to probe the breach in Kosi embankment near Kushaha in Nepal on August 18,2008.

A decision to this effect was taken by the state cabinet tonight, said secretary of the cabinet and coordination department Grish Shankar.

Mr Shankar said a retired judge of the Patna High Court would probe the breach of Kosi embankment and submit the report to the state government within six months.

Elaborating the terms of reference of the one member judicial commission, he said it would enquire whether the flood protection works of Kosi embankment, as recommended by the expert committee had been completed before the onset of the monsoon this year. The comission would also ascertain that what steps were taken to strengthen the Kosi embankment during 1990-2005.

Mr Shankar said the comission would also probe that how extent the approval of the central government of recomendations of the Kosi high leval committee, was helpful in strengthening the embankment.

The steps taken to protect the Kosi embankment after the lapse of its 25 years of stipulated life would also come under the purview of the comission, he stated.

UNI KKS/SRC2216