Jaundice outbreak in Shimla: PCC general secy asks for penal action against erring authorities

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The Congress leader, however, evaded questions about an absconding contractor of the sewerage treatment plant at Malyana, who had not taken any step for months to run the treatment plant.

It is learnt that the contractor Akshey Doegar happens to be an influential Congress leader in the town enjoying protection of the government despite an FIR registered by the police, and two junior officials of the IPH department arrested. “I have no idea about this man and his antecedents. Let the law take it’s course against the guilty. Why should a few junior level officials be made scapegoats. Some heads must roll. I believe the chief minister will act as he had assured yesterday at a high level meeting,” said Rathore.

The Congress leader questioned as to why agencies like the Pollution Control Board were sleeping and that the IPH department kept supplying highly contaminated water to the town even when it was known that the treatment plant wasn’t functional. There has been a total lack of coordination between the agencies.

He asked for setting up a composite authority to coordinate functions of the water supply and sewage treatment as existing arrangment was faulty that resulted in the outbreak of jaundice earlier in 2008, 2010 and 2013.

The Congress leader criticised the earlier BJP government for non-utilisation of funds under JNNURM for rejuvination of water supply and sewage system of the town.

Rathore asked the SIT investigating the issue to conduct a fair probe and bring the culprits to book. Meanwhile, Superintendent of polce D W Negi said, “Efforts are underway to arrest Doegar who has gone underground .We are using electronic surveillance to trace him as his custodial interrogation is needed. He (contractor) will soon be in our grip,” Negi said.