Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Saturday suspended an Assistant Engineer with immediate effect pending an inquiry and penalised a contractor after an inspection found substandard asphalt-laying work on certain roads in Bengaluru.
He also warned that strict action would be taken against officials and contractors found compromising on the quality of public infrastructure works.
According to a statement from the minister’s office, the poor-quality work was detected in asphalt-laying on arterial and sub-arterial roads under the infrastructure programme in Ward No. 110, Sampangirama Nagar.
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During the inspection, it was found that asphalt had not been laid in the prescribed proportion and thickness set out in the project plan, and that the quantity of asphalt used was inadequate.
The minister’s office said, “As a responsible officer, Assistant Engineer Pujarappa, who was found to have allegedly colluded with the contractor and committed dereliction of duty, has been suspended from service with immediate effect pending a departmental enquiry under Rule 10 of the Karnataka Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1957.”
It said the action was taken on the directions of the Greater Bengaluru Development Minister, and that the contractor’s company had also been ordered to be blacklisted.
Gowda said, “Today, I observed an asphalt work. I was doubtful of the quality. I asked the Commissioner to inspect this asphalt work. Indeed, the work was found to be substandard. Sadly, the officer is suspended and the contractor penalised.”
He appealed to the officials concerned to do their job properly.
The minister added, “I really hope I don’t have to do this frequently. But, if officers and contractors do not do their job, I will be forced. I appeal to them to do their job properly.”
The action followed the inspection that found asphalt-laying work in Sampangirama Nagar did not meet the prescribed standards.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
