Chhattisgarh Dam Drained To Retrieve Mobile Phone: Food Inspector Suspended
RAIPUR: In a strange turn of events, a dam in Chhattisgarh was emptied using pumps to recover a mobile phone that had slipped into the reservoir while a food inspector was taking a selfie. The incident occurred at Paralkot reservoir in Kanker district on May 21.
After senior officials learned of the incident, the food inspector, Rajesh Vishwas , was suspended for wasting water during the peak summer season.
After senior officials learned of the incident, the food inspector, Rajesh Vishwas , was suspended for wasting water during the peak summer season.
A departmental inquiry has also been initiated against other officials involved.
Divers were initially called to retrieve the phone, but when their efforts proved futile, two powerful pumps were used to drain over 41 lakh litres of water from the dam over three days until the phone was finally recovered.
The incident came to light when photos and videos circulated on social media, showing Vishwas sitting under an umbrella while divers and others attempted to locate his phone.
Divers were initially called to retrieve the phone, but when their efforts proved futile, two powerful pumps were used to drain over 41 lakh litres of water from the dam over three days until the phone was finally recovered.
The incident came to light when photos and videos circulated on social media, showing Vishwas sitting under an umbrella while divers and others attempted to locate his phone.
Kanker district collector Priyanka Shukla took immediate action by suspending Rajesh Vishwas. The suspension order stated that Vishwas drained a significant amount of water without proper authorisation, misusing his position in an unacceptable manner.
The district collector also issued a show-cause notice to RC Dhivar , a sub-divisional officer of the water resources department, who had allegedly given verbal permission to Vishwas to pump out the water from the dam. Dhivar has been asked to respond to the notice within one day.
The collector further sought a report from the sub-divisional magistrate of Pakhanjore regarding the unauthorised draining of 41 lakh litres of water to retrieve a mobile phone.
In a video statement, Vishwas explained that he accidentally dropped his expensive phone into the dam while visiting with friends. Locals suggested that draining some water could aid in the phone's recovery. He claimed to have sought permission from the irrigation department's sub-divisional officer to drain a certain amount of water that was not being utilised by farmers.
The incident drew criticism from the opposition party, with BJP national vice-president Raman Singh and other leaders condemning the ruling Congress party for treating state property as personal possessions. Singh highlighted the irony of wasting 41 lakh litres of water when people were dependent on tankers for their water supply during the scorching summer season.
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