Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government’s Water Resources Department on Monday suspended three engineering officials over alleged irregularities in a canal infrastructure project in Bargarh district.
Those suspended are Madan Mohan Sethy, Superintending Engineer, Bargarh Irrigation Division; Raj Kumar Mishra, Assistant Executive Engineer, Bheden Irrigation Sub-Division; and Ranjan Patel, Assistant Engineer, Bargarh Canal Section.
According to an official order, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the three officers in connection with alleged lapses in the execution of a canal development project involving the construction of a box conduit over the Bargarh distributary. The project covers the stretch from RD 3561 m to 5473 m under Phase-I canal front development works in Bargarh town.
The order stated that the officials have been placed under suspension with immediate effect under Rule 12(1) of the Odisha Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1962. The suspension will remain in force until further orders, pending the completion of the disciplinary inquiry.
“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-Rule (1) of Rule 12 of the O.C.S. (C.C. & A.) Rules, 1962, Shri Madan Mohan Sethy, Superintending Engineer, Bargarh Irrigation Division, Bargarh; Shri Raj Kumar Mishra, Assistant Executive Engineer, Bheden Irrigation Sub-Division, Bheden; and Shri Ranjan Patel, Assistant Engineer, Bargarh Canal Section, are placed under suspension with immediate effect and shall remain under suspension until further orders,” the order read.
The government has also directed that, during the suspension period, the headquarters of the Superintending Engineer shall be the office of the Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources, Odisha, Bhubaneswar. The two Assistant Engineers will remain stationed at the office of the Chief Engineer & Basin Manager, Mahanadi Basin, Burla.
The order further stated that the suspended officials shall not leave their respective headquarters without prior permission from the competent authority.
As per service rules, the officers will be entitled to subsistence allowance during the suspension period under Rule 90 of the Odisha Service Code.
Further inquiry into the matter is underway, the order added.
