Check dam projects were initiated in 2010-11 to conserve water from small water sources and use them further for irrigation. Odisha government had target of construction of 15000 projects from 2010 to 2015 but 8090 projects were sanctioned and only 5926 could been completed. This information has been disclosed in the state assembly while presenting CAG report.
According to the report, within five years from 2010 to 2015, the state government had a target of construction of 15000 projects but the Chief Engineer of the Minor Irrigation Division Odisha sanctioned 1318.12 crore for 8090 projects, but the state government allotted 971.53 crore in the budget for the project. In 5 years out of the total sanctioned projects only 5926 could be completed till 2015 and 884.88 crore have been used.
In the year 2010-2011, total 1366 projects were sanctioned but only 417 have been completed.
Similarly, 2011-2012, total 3046 check dam projects were sanctioned but only 1133 check dam projects have been constructed completely.
In 2012-2013 construction of 3000 check dam projects was in target but 1181 projects were sanctioned and total 1848 check dam constructions was complete including old projects.
In the year 2013- 2014 out of the total 2380 sanctioned check dam projects only 913 have been completed.
In 2014 -2015 total 1619 check dam projects could been completed and including this in last 5 years total 5926 check dam projects have been completed out of the total sanctioned 8090 projects.
According to the CAG report many projects are pending incomplete due to dispute in site selection, not getting reply about the tender, less quotation price of the tender, unavailability of technical officer for inspection.
But when CAG inspected a few sites found that, the locals were not involved in selecting the site according to the rules and out of 4050 check dams project Pani Panchayat have not been instituted in 2825 check dams. Further, installation of door in the concrete gap is necessary to preserve the water but at the time of inspection of papers of 8 divisions out of 2825 check dams there were no shutter in 1409 check dams and the objectives of check dam construction has failed and investment of 166.21 crore was wasted. Despite of this, no action was taken against associated executive engineers.