BSL official suspended as water crisis continues

BOKARO: The Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) management on Monday suspended a deputy general manager (DGM) of Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) for dereliction of duty in connection with the water crisis, which has badly hit production in the last 20 days. BSL is suffering a water shortage due to a breach in the Tenughat canal.
DGM Mohammad AK Bash of water department of BSL was suspended by SAIL authorities, based on an preliminary inquiry conducted on the issue.A SAIL official said that the management is waiting for the report of the inquiry committee to decide its further course of action.
SAIL set up an inquiry committee, headed by former CEO of Burnpur Steel Plant NK Jha, to probe the incident. The committee has been directed to submit its report to SAIL chairman PK Singh. Besides, the BSL management also formed a task force comprising of 12 officers, to monitor the situation at Tenughat canal, by carrying out regular inspection, a BSL official said.
Though the water supply has been restored in the Tenughat canal, however, production is yet to begin in the mills as the water level is not reaching the necessary level in the Cooling Pond. Efforts are on to restore production in the Hot Strip Mill and other units of BSL, which are closed since November 9.
Chief of communication, BSL, Manikant Dhan said that efforts are being made to restore production and supply of water.