Maharashtra suspends five senior engineers

The official said a test check by the departmental auditor revealed that there were rampant irregularities in the execution of irrigation projects in Kurudwadi section of Solapur district, particularly from 1992 to 1998. Subsequently, the special auditor, who re-examined the status of on-going projects, found that the government has suffered a loss of Rs 61 lakh owing to the indifferent attitude of the erring officials.

Following the strictures passed by the auditors, the government hassuspended J H Reddy, J R Mhetre, K M Madegowda, all deputy engineers and N B Gawli and A S Wasekar attached to the stores department.

"As per the recommendation of the special auditor, we have suspended them. Now, a departmental inquiry will be instituted against them as per the provisions of the Maharashtra Civil Service Rules. We are planning to appoint a special inquiry officer to complete the probe in a time bound period," the official said.

This was the second major action initiated by the irrigation department against erring officials. Earlier, following a report submitted by Arun Bhatia, the then divisional commissioner of Pune, the alliance government had transferred a record number of 45 officials to non-executive posts.

Following a complaint lodged by anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare, the alliance government had asked Bhatia to probe into the specific charges of corruption against the senior engineers of the department.

Confirming the charges of Hazare, Bhatia had observed that there waslarge-scale dereliction of duty by the 45 officials, as a result, the Government had lost a huge amount. Then Bhatia had also submitted that several works, which were shown as completed on government records, were not even initiated for obvious reasons.

Immediately after the receipt of the report, the Government had transferred them, but Hazare was not satisfied by the action on the ground that transfer was not a punishment. Subsequently, when Irrigation Minister Eknath Khadse called on him, the veteran social worker reiterated his demand for the suspension of the engineers. However, when it was explained to them that no purpose will be served if the officials are suspended without giving them appropriate notice.

"Though Hazare continued his fast against the government, he accepted the arguments of the alliance government," the official added.