Strict Action Against Corrupt Officials Under Chief Minister Sai
Raipur, January 17
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the state government has demonstrated zero tolerance for irregularities and negligence by officials and employees involved in development works.
The state government has taken strict action against officials of the Public Works Department from Bijapur to Raipur for irregularities, negligence, substandard work, and anomalies in road construction and overbridge repair work.
The state government has ordered an FIR against officials found guilty of irregularities, corruption, collusion, misuse of government funds, and substandard work in road construction in Bijapur, along with suspension.
A show-cause notice has also been issued to one officer. Similarly, five officials have been suspended for substandard work and irregularities in the repair of the Mowa overbridge in Raipur.
Implementing zero tolerance for corruption and irregularities in the state, the government has taken major action against several officials today. In a report received from the investigation team constituted regarding the work of the 54.40 km long very important ongoing Nelsonar-Kodoli-Mirtul-Gangalur road under the RRP-1 (LWE) scheme in Bijapur, it was found that the irregularities were serious and the collusion of the concerned officials resulted in the misuse of government funds in road construction, embezzlement, giving faulty evaluation reports, and prima facie evidence of corruption in collusion with the contractor/construction agency.
Taking strict action, the state government has directed the Chief Engineer of Bastar Division, Jagdalpur, to file an FIR against the then Executive Engineer Shri B.L. Dhruv, Sub Divisional Officer Shri R.K. Sinha, and Assistant Engineer Shri G.S. Kodopi and other related officials under the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of Corruption Act, and other relevant sections for irregularities, serious corruption, collusion, misuse of government funds, and deliberately carrying out substandard construction work in road construction works in Naxal-affected areas and to inform the Public Works Department immediately.
During the inspection of the worksite on January 8 and 9 by the investigation team constituted for the work of Nelsonar-Kodoli-Mirtul-Gangalur road along with the Chief Engineer of Bastar Division and the Superintending Engineer of Bastar Division, several deficiencies were found. In the construction work of the road, the seal coat has peeled off in most places in 29.00 km to 32.00 km and a total of 4.20 km of BT (OGPC+SEAL COAT) up to DL.P. 06/2025. Sink potholes have occurred in various furlongs of the road from km 41/2 to 50/10, which is up to DL.P. 06/2025. The approach slab of the bridge at km 28/4, 30/6, and 40/2 has settled due to inadequate thickness and poor compaction of backfilling material without reinforcement. Thus, by carrying out the work without following the prescribed standards and specifications, the Sub Divisional Officer and the Assistant Engineer have misused their authority and committed irregularities in the discharge of their official duties. Taking strict action, the department has suspended the Sub Divisional Officer Shri R.K. Sinha and Assistant Engineer Shri G.S. Kodopi with immediate effect and their headquarters have been fixed at the office of the Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, Naya Raipur. During the suspension period, they will be entitled to subsistence allowance as per rules.
Considering the work carried out without following the prescribed standards and specifications on the Nelsonar-Kodoli-Mirtul-Gangalur road as gross negligence, indifference, and arbitrariness towards duty, the Public Works Department has issued a show-cause notice to the retired Executive Engineer of Bijapur, Shri B.L. Dhruv. In the notice issued to him, the department has stated that why should strict disciplinary action not be taken against you for the said act. He has been asked to submit his written reply within 15 days of receipt of the notice. In case the written reply is not received within the stipulated time, unilateral action will be taken against the concerned as per the rules.
Five officials suspended for irregularities in Mowa overbridge repair work, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao had ordered an inquiry after inspecting the work
The Public Works Department has also taken major action against five officials for substandard work and irregularities in the repair of the Mowa railway overbridge in Raipur. After investigation, the department has suspended five officials.
Taking cognizance of the complaints about the asphalting work on the overbridge, Deputy Chief Minister and Public Works Minister Shri Arun Sav had conducted a surprise inspection of the work. During the inspection, he found substandard work/defects at the worksite. In this regard, the Chief Engineer of the Bridge Circle, Raipur of the Public Works Department, received an investigation report from the Central Quality and Research Laboratory, Public Works Department, Raipur, in which the average bitumen content, combined density, and gradation of the material were found to be below the standard level. Thus, by carrying out the asphalting work without following the substandard level and quality standards, the Executive Engineer, Sub Divisional Officer, and Assistant Engineers have misused their authority and committed irregularities in the discharge of their official duties. Taking strict action, the department has suspended Executive Engineer Shri Vivek Shukla, Sub Divisional Officer Shri Roshan Kumar Sahu, and Assistant Engineers Shri Rajiv Mishra, Shri Devvrat Yamraj, and Shri Tanmay Gupta. The headquarters of all of them have been fixed at the office of the Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, Naya Raipur during the suspension period. They will be entitled to subsistence allowance as per rules during the suspension period.