IMPHAL, July 3: The State government has to provide clarification to every allegation against failure of its department and in case, the department concern try to cover the issue, the government has to take responsibility, MLA Laisom Ibomcha said while moving a calling attention motion on the reported crack developed in Sekmai Dam.
The public has been waiting for long for the dam and were hopeful that the surrounding fields will get proper irrigation from the Sekmai Lift irrigation schemes, however, there are already reports of cracks in the dam and the concerned department should clarify on the issue, he said.
The MLA also observed that if the concern department is found at fault action should be taken up against it and in case the report comes out to be wrong, then the government should initiate actions against the concern party.
Meanwhile, clarifying on the issue, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh on behalf of the Minor Irrigation department said the Sekmai Dam construction was started in the year 2011 under the RLI scheme under NEC funding at an estimated cost of Rs 4.22 crores.
During the last week of June, the dam was put on a trial basis and supplied water for irrigation even though the construction is not fully complete, he observed.
Due to the water current of the river, the lower portion (at ground level) acted as a spring, but now it has been filled up, he said.
The completion of the dam is aimed by end of current rainy season, he said adding that construction of the dam is looked after by the contractors and not fully handed over to the department and as such all responsibility is of the contractors, the Chief Minister said.
He said the side walls and the retaining walls of the canals have been checked and they will be completed soon.
At the sametime, the Vigilance department has taken up a case and inquiry against three department officials who were supervising the dam, he continued.
All concern have also been advised and instructed with stern warnings not to allow such things to happen again, he said adding that no official can escape from punishment if they have committed any wrongdoings.