Punjab News/Punjab government to form monitoring committees to oversee cleanliness of drains and rivulets

Chandigarh, November 18, 2013: In a decision of far-reaching ramifications, the Punjab Government has decided to form monitoring committees to expedite the cleanliness of the drains and rivulets in the state thus to ensure transparent utilization of funds. Local elective representatives have been given the responsible task of surveillance of the work in progress and to ensure the hassle free and timely completion of the work.

Disclosing this here, an official spokesperson of the Irrigation Department said that in these committees, District Agriculture Officers, Area Irrigation Officers and Sarpanch of the respective village, in whose jurisdiction the canal/rivulet is passing, have been inducted as members. Deputy Commissioner would monitor the proper disbursement of funds. The spokesperson further said that the Irrigation Department would ensure the photography of the work, once before the starting of the work, during the 50 per cent completion and after the completion of the work. The record of photography would be put before the respective monitoring committee for its vetting. After the scrutiny and acceptance of the report by the monitoring committee, the funds would be released to the contractor.

He said that the Chief Engineers, Canals would be responsible for the overall work and transparent uses of funds, whereas Chief Engineer, Vigilance would have to conduct surprise monitoring visit at least once in every region and to report to the respective Deputy Commissioner.