Varanasi: Urban development and energy minister AK Sharma on Monday suspended Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Urban) executive engineer Pawan Kumar Gupta after negligence was found in the operation of pumps at the Chowkaghat Sewage Pumping Station and Goithaha Sewage Treatment Plant in Varanasi. The pumps at both facilities were kept shut on Sept 3 and 4, resulting in excessive pressure in sewer lines during heavy rainfall and causing waterlogging in low-lying areas.Since arriving here on Sept 12, Sharma has been inspecting waterlogging-hit areas and directing officials to ensure drainage arrangements on a war footing. Expressing strong displeasure over the inconvenience caused to residents, he warned officials that accountability would be fixed for any lapses.Preliminary findings stated that Gupta failed to prepare an action plan for installing gates or barriers to prevent river backflow at Chowkaghat and did not comply with directions issued by senior officers.A disciplinary inquiry has been instituted against Gupta under Rule 7 of the Uttar Pradesh Government Servants Discipline and Appeal Rules, 1999. The chief engineer, Purchase, UP Jal Nigam (Urban), Lucknow, will conduct the inquiry. During his suspension, Gupta will remain attached to the chief engineer, Kanpur Region, office and receive a subsistence allowance.On Sunday, Sharma asked officials to ensure proper planning to address problems such as waterlogging. While reviewing issues related to the city’s waterlogging, drainage, sanitation and electricity supply at a meeting with officials of the Municipal Corporation, Jal Nigam and energy department at the Circuit House here on Sunday, he directed officials to prioritise public grievances and ensure that citizens do not face avoidable inconvenience.
