Panchkula roundabouts spending: New panel members want independent probe body

PANCHKULA: It seems that inquiry on eight roundabouts in Panchkula will further get delayed. As of now, the newly appointed member of the inquiry, Ramesh Chander superintendent engineer, Ambala, has said that it would be unfair on his part to conduct inquiry of his own institution and an independent body should be made incharge of the probe.


On January 9, urban local bodies minister Kavita Jain gave two

new

members to the inquiry committee — Raman Sharma chief engineer, Karnal, and Ramesh Chander superintendent engineer, Ambala. The new members have been appointed for greater transparency. They will review the report prepared by technical expert Vishal Seth.


Ramesh Chander superintendent engineer, Ambala, when contacted by TOI said that he was holding the charge of SE at Panchkula MC, therefore it will not be fair on his part to conduct inquiry of his own institution. “The inquiry should be conducted by an independent committee,” Chander said.

When contacted Kavita Jain urban local bodies minister Haryana government said that there is no issue if the official who is technical expert and part of MC Panchkula cannot probe the inquiry of the project. She said that he The newly appointed officers were not the member of the committee when the tenders were floated. The officials will have to follow government orders,” the minister said. She added said that the report would be submitted only after being reviewed by the new members.

Raman Sharma, chief engineer, Karnal, said he was yet to receive orders from the government about the inquiry. “After the orders are received, I will study the documents and take a decision on conducting a fresh inquiry or reviewing the report which is already in place,” Sharma said.