540 WORKERS LOGGED FOR 63 PROJECTS

540 WORKERS LOGGED FOR 63 PROJECTS

7-NOV-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR--------------------------In the Nawanagar block of Buxar, 63 projects—ostensibly involving the cleaning of canals, irrigation channels (*pain*), and fields—have been recorded as operational, despite widespread waterlogging in agricultural lands and low-lying areas. Official records even show the attendance of 540 workers for these projects. Following rainfall on October 30, many fields remain submerged, and movement along rural roads continues to be disrupted. These circumstances have raised questions regarding the authenticity of the work claimed and the reported attendance of the workers. Upon the matter coming to light, Deputy Development Commissioner Niharika Chhavi has ordered an investigation.

Several areas within the Nawanagar block remain waterlogged following the recent rains. Nevertheless, government records indicate that various cleaning operations for canals, irrigation channels, and fields have been carried out. The recorded presence of 540 workers for these tasks has cast doubt on the actual status of the work, making an on-site verification essential.

In Dubauli, located in the Bhadar Panchayat, a project for cleaning an irrigation channel (*pain*)—stretching from Bablu Sah’s field to Kamal Singh’s field—has been recorded (Work Code: 0548007/IC/VB/20676566; MSR Number: 8534). Similarly, in Sonbarsa, a project for cleaning an irrigation channel from a canal to the Amiti School has been documented (Work Code: 0548007/IC/VB/20674480; MSR Number: 8798).

In Chanwat village, under the Baina Panchayat, a cleaning project has been recorded, spanning from the Barwan canal, passing through Taman Yadav’s field, and extending to Samsuddin’s field (MSR Number: 8175). In Barav, the cleaning work from the Chhulhanchak canal to Vinay Yadav’s field is recorded under code 0548007/IC/VB/20678599, with an MSR (Muster Roll) number of 8744. Additionally, the cleaning work from Shankar Yadav’s field to Dhirendra Yadav’s field is listed under MSR number 8815.

Several projects are recorded in Atimi Panchayat. In Basudeva, the cleaning work from Kesath Road to Suresh Singh’s field is shown under MSR number 8684. The work from Hridaynarayan to Jagarnath Mishra’s field is recorded under MSR number 8700. In Atimi village, the cleaning work from Vikram Singh’s field to Atimi Road is registered under MSR number 8692.

Similarly, in Babuganj Angrezi Panchayat, projects are recorded under the following MSR numbers: 8286 in Salempur, 8463 in Narayanpur, 8182 and 8455 in Aropa Khurd, and 8655 in Rajandihari.

Regarding this matter, Deputy Development Commissioner Niharika Chhavi stated that the entire episode would be investigated. Departmental action will be taken against anyone found guilty during the investigation. It will be crucial, during the inquiry, to conduct on-site verification of the projects and cross-check the attendance of laborers recorded in the MSRs against the actual ground reality.