Body of Chief Engineer found, probe sought
The body of missing Chief Engineer of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), Vimal Negi, has been recovered from Gobind Sagar reservoir in Bilaspur. He was missing since March 10.
In his condolence message to the family, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Negi was an upright officer and his services to the state will always be remembered. Expressing sympathy with the bereaved family, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said Negi’s death should be investigated as the family had accused the senior officials of putting undue pressure on him.
“We request the Chief Minister to investigate the allegations levelled by the family. And if anyone is found guilty, he should not be spared under any circumstances,” said Thakur.
After he went missing, his family had met Chief Minister, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and police officials to help them trace him. Jai Ram Thakur also raised the matter in the Vidhan Sabha today, urging the government to make all out efforts to locate the missing officer.
Negi’s wife had accused the higher officials of the corporation of harassing him and not giving him medical leave. Apart from the family, the Joint Front of HPSEBL Employees and Engineers had also hinted at an unfriendly work environment at the HPPCL. In a letter to the Chief Minister, the Front had claimed that Negi was affected by the work environment at the corporation and had demanded inquiry to find out the truth.
Meanwhile, HPPCL employees have written to the Chief Minister to conduct a thorough investigation to unearth the reasons behind Negi’s death and make necessary administrative changes in the corporation. The employees have written that until a thorough investigation is done and required administrative changes are made, they “feel compelled to pause work”.
