Staff crunch hits Bembla project

Yavatmal: After large scale corruption and red tape, shortage of staff has held up the Bembla river irrigation project in Yavatmal district. After completion of the multi-crore Bembla river irrigation project in village Khadakvasla in Babhulgaon tehsil of Yavatmal district with the irrigation capacity of 47,000 hectare, the Bembla project canal division and two sub divisions were created.The purpose was to complete 113km right bank canal. However, work in these departments has crippled as sanctioned posts have been lying vacant.
Executive engineer DG Rathod said of the six sanctioned posts of deputy engineers, only two were filled up. Against 24 sectional engineer posts, the department has only 14. Two sectional engineers are now on deputation to other departments.
Two new subdivisions have been sanctioned at Kalamb and Ralegaon with a strength of 176 posts. Unfortunately, no appointment was made against these posts, said Rathod.
The water from the canal is being used by the Water Users’ Societies. But there is no staff to collect the ‘paani patti’ (water cess) which is causing heavy financial loss to the exchequer.
TOI on December 16 had highlighted the non cooperation of PWD that had utilized fund of Rs4 crore deposited in its account for other works. The PWD was supposed to use the funds for the construction of 11 bridges on the state and district highways.
Taking note of TOI report, the department had shunted out executive engineer DG Rathod. He is now in charge of the Bembla river irrigation project. Rathod was the executive engineer of canal project, which too is lying vacant after his transfer.