The Hindu : Engineer threatened for 'exposing corruption'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 01, 2004

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Engineer threatened for 'exposing corruption'

Sonebhadra (U.P.) Dec. 31. A senior engineer of the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department today alleged that he was receiving threats for highlighting corruption in the department and that he had written to the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and the CBI Director about it.

Hari Prasad, Superintending Engineer, has alleged that he had been receiving threatening calls from some mafia elements after he submitted an inquiry report indicting several senior officials for committing ``grave irregularities'' in the digging of Garai river. ``I have written letters to the Prime Minister and the CBI director stating that I have been receiving threatening calls after the Irrigation Department decided to initiate disciplinary action against 15 officials on the basis of my inquiry report,'' Mr. Prasad said.

The letters, copies of which were furnished by Mr. Prasad, said the Department had constituted a committee to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the alleged irregularities.

Mr. Prasad, who headed the committee, submitted his report to the Government in June last, recommending that no payments should be made to the contractors before the work was fully evaluated. ``Some mafia elements are threatening me with dire consequences as their payment had been stopped owing to the inquiry report,'' he alleged in his letters dated December 22. He sought the Prime Minister's intervention to ensure for him and his family.

An officer of the Chief Engineer, R.S. Bedi, said in Lucknow that they were not aware of Mr. Prasad's apprehensions but admitted that the inquiry report was with the Government and action was being initiated.

PTI

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Engineer threatened for 'exposing corruption'