Seven monitoring committees formed across Haryana, officers violating safety protocols to be held personally accountable
Chandigarh: Haryana Public Health Engineering and Public Works (Buildings & Roads) Minister, Ranbir Gangwa, has ordered strict enforcement of sewerage and manhole safety norms across the State, taking a serious view of accidents and lapses in safety compliance during sewerage and manhole-related works. He directed departmental officers to ensure that all prescribed safety protocols are followed meticulously and without exception.
The Minister made it categorically clear that any lapse in adherence to safety protocols will no longer be tolerated. He said that if the life of any employee is lost due to negligence in implementing mandatory safety measures, responsibility will be fixed on the concerned officers and strict action will be taken against them.
Ranbir Gangwa also directed that seven monitoring committees be constituted across Haryana. Each committee will comprise a Chief Engineer, the Superintending Engineer of the concerned circle and the Executive Engineer (XEN) of the respective division. These committees will conduct regular field inspections, verify compliance with safety arrangements and prescribed protocols, and submit their inspection reports directly to the department headquarters. The reports will be placed before the Minister without delay, he said.
To ensure that inspections remain impartial and effective, the Cabinet Minister further directed that Chief Engineers be assigned circles other than those falling under their present administrative jurisdiction. Describing the incidents reported in the State as unfortunate, Ranbir Gangwa said there is an urgent need to strengthen departmental monitoring and accountability so that no lapse occurs in supervision or responsibility in future. He reiterated that the safety of every employee is the Government’s foremost priority and that no compromise whatsoever with safety standards will be accepted.
No employee to be allowed to enter a sewer or manhole without prescribed safety equipment and strict compliance with safety protocols, says Minister The Minister directed officers that no employee should be permitted to enter any sewer or manhole unless all prescribed safety equipment is made available and every mandatory safety protocol is fully complied with. He emphasised that there should be absolutely no negligence in this regard.
Referring to the meeting of the Haryana Water Supply and Sewerage Board (WSSB) held on June 23, the Minister said that Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini had also issued clear directions to the department to ensure complete compliance with prescribed safety standards in every sewerage and manhole-related operation.
No Sewer or Manhole to Be Left Uncovered Anywhere in Haryana- Ranbir Gangwa
Ranbir Gangwa said that several incidents had come to light in which negligence on the part of contractors as well as departmental officers had been observed. He also said that reports of accidents caused by uncovered sewer manholes had reached him. Stating that it is the department’s responsibility to ensure that manholes are securely covered and made safe, he directed all officers to ensure that no manhole or sewer opening remains uncovered anywhere in the State and that regular monitoring is carried out to prevent such hazards.
The Minister also expressed displeasure over the fact that, in several cases, departmental officers fail to submit preliminary reports, fact-finding reports, Action Taken Reports (ATRs) and related files to the headquarters promptly after an accident. He said such negligence would not be tolerated in future. He directed that information regarding every such incident, along with all prescribed reports, must be sent to the headquarters immediately, and said it would be the responsibility of the concerned officers to ensure timely submission.
Directions Issued to All Deputy Commissioners
Ranbir Gangwa has also directed all Deputy Commissioners in the State to regularly review compliance with safety standards in sewerage and manhole-related works during their monthly review meetings. They have further been directed to ensure strict implementation of the State Government’s directions as well as meticulous compliance, in letter and spirit, with the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court on the subject.
