VB starts probe into irrigation projects

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 26

Days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court rejected the bail plea of contractor Gurinder Singh and five others in the alleged Rs1,000-crore Irrigation Department scam, the Vigilance Bureau (VB) has commenced its probe into several projects.

Besides the probe into the Rs100-crore Kandi project, the VB also has leads on alleged irregularities in the Rs100-crore drainage project in Malwa. Another Rs50-crore Harike project is likely to come under its scanner.

A VB team recently went to a number of offices associated with the works on the Kandi canal at different places. An officer associated with the probe said: “The name of the controversial contractor figured in these projects. The government paid him Rs10 crore for works that were never carried out.”

In a separate case, Executive Engineer Bajrang Lal Singla sought EC’s permission for a Rs100-crore project on waterlogging in the south-west Punjab on March 6, which was being executed with the Centre’s assistance. Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh had replied that the work be awarded only after the completion of the election process.

Former Secretary (Irrigation) Kahan Singh Pannu had, on March 22, noted that “tenders worth Rs70 crore have been issued for a sub-surface drainage project in Gidderbaha. The tenders may please not be opened without the permission of the Irrigation Minister”.

A couple of days later, Pannu received a mail from the office of Special Secretary (Irrigation) KBS Sidhu that Pannu had been issuing direct (oral as well as written) instructions to Chief Engineers and subordinate staff against protocol. Sidhu could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Another controversial project of the department under scanner pertains to Harike wetland. An attempt was made to cancel the original allotments and hand over the Rs50-crore project to Gurinder Singh. At least, two engineers who raised objections to the cancellation of original allotment were allegedly transferred.