The State Government is implementing a unique and reformative initiative ‘5T’ (Teamwork, Technology, Transparency, Time leading to Transformation) as part of its efforts to provide good governance.
But of late, it has come to light that some unscrupulous employees with vested interests in the Public Health Department are trying to influence their seniors to get promotion through the 5T process. This has become a hot topic of discussion in official circles and become a major concern.
Recently, pilot projects under the ‘24 x 7 Water Supply’ and ‘Drink from Tap’ were kick-started in different areas of Bhubaneswar and a Superintendent Engineer was given charge of it. It is alleged that all the Government’s rules and regulations have been blatantly flouted by the concerned official and all sorts of irregularities have been committed to misuse crores of rupees from the State exchequer.
It is alleged that the concerned official is parroting to the contractors that he used this ill-gotten money and is trying to supersede senior engineers to become the Chief Engineer. Also taking advantage of it, he is collecting a huge amount of money from the contractors.
Besides, it is alleged that crores of rupees of machineries required for water supply have been purchased without tender, which is illegal. Projects of crores of rupees were split into Rs 5 lakh each to benefit close contractors and in the process a huge sum of money has changed hands. This is investigation-worthy by an independent agency.
Presently even though the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) has a senior Superintending Engineer, he has been superseded by the concerned official and appointed as Managing Director. This has triggered resentment among the other engineers, who have demanded evaluation of the projects implemented by the concerned official by a third party and if found guilty stringent action should be initiated against the guilty officials.