Bihar PHED Minister Sanjay Singh
From Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Bihar government has adopted a tough stance over pending schemes and financial irregularities in the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). On Wednesday, departmental minister Sanjay Singh announced a series of key decisions, making it clear that contractors working with the department who have outstanding electricity bills will not be allowed to participate in any future tender processes.
The minister said a high-level review meeting of the department was held on Wednesday, during which the progress of schemes across the state, pending dues and the working style of officials were examined in detail. It emerged in the meeting that in several schemes, contractors had failed to pay electricity bills, affecting not only the department’s image but also disrupting the operation of projects.
Sanjay Singh said accountability has now been fixed at the departmental level and strict action will be taken against contractors with outstanding electricity dues. The process of blacklisting such contractors may also be initiated. He clarified that no contractor would be awarded new work or tenders without clearing pending payments.
Action will also be taken against departmental officials. Warning officers, the minister said personal accountability has been fixed for officials in whose jurisdictions recovery of dues is pending. If the concerned officers fail to ensure recovery of outstanding electricity bills within one month, their salaries will be withheld.
The Public Health Engineering Department is directly linked to the public, as it implements schemes related to basic amenities such as drinking water. Any negligence or financial irregularity will not be tolerated, the minister said. The department’s priority is to ensure timely completion of all schemes and prevent loss to government revenue. Instructions have also been issued to ensure the smooth functioning of the Nal Jal scheme and to resolve faults immediately wherever complaints are received.
The minister further said officers have been directed to conduct surprise inspections in the offices of their subordinates at least two days a week. If any officer or employee is found absent from duty, they must be contacted immediately through a video call. While being on field duty for official work is acceptable, those found away from duty for personal reasons during working hours will be identified and action taken.
Sanjay Singh added that a list of pending schemes across the state has been prepared during the review meeting. Officials have been instructed to complete these projects within the stipulated timeframe. Districts where schemes have been stalled for a long time will be kept under special watch. The government aims to enforce a transparent system and improve departmental functioning through regular review meetings and continuous monitoring of progress.
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