Trouble for MC engineers

Rajinder Nagarkoti

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 12

Trouble is in store for officials of the MC Engineering Department as the ongoing Vigilance probe into the operation and maintenance of the sewage treatment plant in Diggian, Mohali, has revealed that MC engineers gave undue favours to a private firm, M/s Thermax Ltd, to the tune of Rs 3 to Rs 4 crore.

Interestingly, the MC engineers executed tenders for work which was to be carried out by the private firm, according to the agreement signed between the MC and the private firm.

A senior official of the MC said the "erring" engineers floated tenders under various categories, including disposal of sludge, watch and ward, supply of chemicals, landscaping and horticulture. As these tenders were floated by the MC, which should have been done by the private firm, the civic body suffered a loss to the tune of Rs 3 to Rs 4 crore, he said.

The Diggian sewage treatment plant was upgraded and its capacity increased from 15 million gallons per day (MGD) to 30 MGD in 2009. The agreement was signed between the MC and the private firm for the maintenance and other works for the next 10 years.

Engineers violating terms & conditions of contract

Sources said engineers of the public health wing of the MC posted at the treatment plant from 2007 till 2014 were allegedly violating the terms and conditions of the contract. At present, some officials were still with the MC whereas many had been repatriated to their parent department or the state after completing their deputation period with the MC, Chandigarh.

MC wrote to company in 2014

In November 2014, the MC had written to M/s Thermax Limited, Pune, for complying with the clauses for the operation and maintenance of the sewage treatment plant at Diggian. However, the company, in its reply, had refuted the claim of the MC.