Alleging Harassment by Vigilance Bureau, Punjab Irrigation Engineers Stage ‘Dharna’

By 121 News

Chandigarh 10^th July:- Irrigation Engineers of Punjab have opened a front against the state's Vigilance Bureau (VB). The Joint Action Committee of Engineering Associations of Irrigation Department held a mammoth 'Dharna' by wearing black badges at  Hydel Building complex in Sec 18 here, in which over 1000 Engineers working in different capacities at Chandigarh & across the state participated. The Engineers held the 'Dharna' by wearing black badges, to show their displeasure against the state Vigilance Bureau for registering what they call fake cases against some Engineers of the Irrigation department, related to Harike head works & other places.

Er. B.P.S. Brar, President, JAC said that the Vigilance Bureau has embarked upon a highly uncalled for witch-hunt against Irrigation engineers. There have been remarkable works done by the department across Punjab. But instead of giving us appreciation for the works done, we are unnecessarily being subjected to harassment by being made scapegoats for no fault of ours. An environment of fear is prevailing; does the Government want us to stop working.

Er R.S. Buttar, General Secretary, JAC said that the Vigilance Bureau  has summoned the records of irrigation department works for the last 10 years. We question the motive behind this as it is causing harassment to the entire community. We had & are presently too simply following state government policy in implementing different projects, in an above board & transparent manner.

Er. R. P. Singh, Jt. Secretary, JAC said that we demand an immediate halt to the harassment by Vigilance Bureau. If our genuine grievance is not addressed by the Punjab Government & the vindictive attitude of Vigilance Bureau does not stop, within 72 hours, then Irrigation Engineers of the state will go on an indefinite strike.

For the time being the protesting Engineers from Chief Engineers to Junior Engineer levels, however, have decided to continue work under protest so as not to hamper the departmental works in the larger public interest.

V.S Dhindsa, President, Engineers' Association, PWD B & R has extended full support from all Engineers of the department to Irrigation Engineers. Mandi Board Engineers right from Junior Engineers to Engineer-in-Chief have also extended full support to Irrigation Engineers. Apart from this Irrigation Engineers have received support from Engineering Departments like Public Health, Water Supply & Sanitation, Sewerage Board, Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd.( PSPCL)  etc. for the 'Dharna' & future agitation.