The Punjab government has suspended three officers who were posted at the Madhopur headworks when its floodgates remained closed even after the heavy inflow of water in the Ravi last month, causing devastating floods in Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts.
The principal secretary, water resources has issued suspension orders against Executive Engineer XeN Nitin Sood, SDO Arun Kumar and Junior Engineer Sachin Thakur, who were responsible for the maintenance of the floodgates.
On the intervening night of August 26 and 27, 2.12 lakh cusecs of water was reportedly released from Ranjit Sagar Dam. But the failure to open the floodgates led to the collapse of two of the gates, after which the Army rescued 22 personnel stationed at the headworks. Later, a building near the floodgates had also collapsed.
Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu has demanded the resignation of Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Goyal, saying suspending three officials is not enough. He said that both Goyal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should be held accountable for gross negligence as they had not prepared for the onslaught of monsoon beforehand.
Also read: Like Kashmir, Madhopur Barrage reason India retained Gurdaspur
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