‘Lodge FIR’: Didi fumes at Bankura reservoir collapse

Bankura: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered strong action against the contractor who built the overhead water reservoir in Bankura’s Sarenga that crumbled within days of construction on January 23.
“Why did the water reservoir collapse? Who is the contractor? Lodge FIR against him. He has to build the reservoir from his own funds,” Banerjee said at an administrative meeting in Bankura on Wednesday.
“We are spending money for the water project and some contractors are bringing disrepute to the government.This is too much. I’m going to bring a law and confiscate his property,” Banerjee added.
The CM wanted chief secretary Rajiva Sinha to take stern action against the contractor. Sinha told public health engineering (PHE) officers to “ask him to build the overhead water reservoir on his own. The government is not going to pay him”.
Banerjee sais she was dismayed with the functioning of the PHE department. “Things are not looking up despite warning. PHE has turned into a corruption den. Engage the anti-corruption branch to break the caucus. There has to be accountability in government work,” the CM said.
The overhead reservoir was built with Rs 165 crore of state funds three years ago as part of West Bengal’s ambitious Rs 2,000 crore piped drinking water supply project to households of Bankura and Purulia. It catered to the arid zones of Sarenga, covering 20 villages.
The pending pipe-network for taking drinking water to households was also an irritant for the CM.
“I don’t know why the laying of pipe network is pending,” she said.
Banerjee, in her attempt to speed up government work in Bankura, also asked public representatives in the district to strengthen rural connect. “If there is a misunderstanding at the village level, reach out to households and beg for pardon,” the CM said.