In a sensational revelation, a serving Chief Engineer of the PHE, I&FC Department has brought out a litany of allegations of corruption and fraud against the “high ups” in the department. Chief Engineer, Design Inspection and Quality Control (DIQC) PN Bali has alleged that those who do not succumb to the diktats of the superiors and high up are given a raw deal by either removing them from their present posting or making them irrelevant and sidelined. He has traced the culture of corruption rampant in the department and has specifically touched on one of the avenues through which huge amounts of money are siphoned off. The de-silting of the canals and khuds so that the water flows uninterruptedly to irrigate the fields of farmers has become a source of corruption and the Government is defrauded of crores of rupees by either not at all de-silting or de-silting by piecemeal and submitting fake vouchers showing work done. He clarified that a nexus had come to develop between the contractors and the engineers and the “high ups” and anybody trying to break it has to suffer not only the humiliation and taunts but also transfers that make their life miserable. The complainant says that he himself did not oblige a high up because he was asked a favour that went against the rules and morality as a result of which he was transferred within just four or five months of posting.
We would not advise the Government to make it an issue between this senior officer and the department. The simple logic is that a very senior and responsible officer has made such allegations as are commonly spoken about by man in the street. Therefore a fair and impartial enquiry of the matter should be ordered by the Government. He has attacked the very foundation of work culture in the department and as such it becomes incumbent upon the Government to bring about transparency in the functioning of the department. It should be easy to ascertain whether de-silting was done or not this and previous year and whether full payments were made. An enquiry committee should be empowered to examine all requisite records for submission of a factual report. One thing is clear in such cases. It is easy for the Government to punish the complaining officer but it is difficult for it to convince the people of transparency.
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