124 RO plants lying defunct in 3 districts, finds CAG report

More than 100 reverse osmosis (RO) plants installed by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) in three districts of western Rajasthan spending worth crores of rupees are lying defunct due to the department’s apathy, whereas people in these districts are drinking salty water.

According to a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, 124 RO plants installed in Barmer, Jaisalmer and Jalore districts at a cost ₹15.45 crore are lying nonfunctional, as the PHED officials did not take action against the careless contractor.

“PHED did not take action against the contractor for not carrying out O&M (operations and maintenance) of these plants. It also deprived the people of those habitations safe drinking water,” the report stated.

According to the report, 3,444 RO plants were sanctioned in three phases during 2013-17. Out of these, only 1,610 RO plants were commissioned by March 2017. The installation of 1,421 RO plants was under progress and remaining 413 were not installed, it stated. In August 2013, additional chief engineer of Jodhpur issued work order for installation of 240 RO plants in three circles — Barmer (160), Jaisalmer (40) and Jalore (40) — worth ₹45.19 crore.

As per the norms, the contractor was responsible for the operations and maintenance of the RO plants for seven years.

The stipulated date for completion of the work was March 2014. The contractor installed 193 RO plants and was paid ₹23.66 crore in March 2016.

JODHPUR: