Imphal, June 07: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today lost his �cool� on seeing the slow progress of the Khuga Dam and returned to Imphal swearing to take up fitting action against inefficient officials working at the project.

A visibly agitated Chief Minister also grilled the officials of National Project Construction Corporation (NPCC) which is taking up the construction work of the project for the inordinate delay in completing it.

Accompanied by IFC Minister Phungzathang Tonsing and other related Departmental officials, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh went to inspect the progress of Khuga Multipurpose Project being constructed at Mata Village of Churachandpur district today.

The team arrived at the project site at around 10.40 am and immediately climbed atop the earth dam being constructed to take an overall view of the project with Chief Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) Department K Ibotomba and NPCC officials briefing the progress of the work.

What the Chief Minister saw was not to his liking and he cut short the sugary coated explanation and demanded to know why there has been no progress in the work although he had visited the site 3/4 times.

The Chief Engineer pointed out that the work has been stalled in the absence of drilling machine.

With the rise in temperature, the Chief Minister and his official team were offered one packet of Frooti each.

They were preparing to sip the cold drinks (perhaps to cool the temper), when Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh questioned the reasons behind the slow progress of work from the EE of NPCC.

The officer replied that although there are two drilling machines, the work could not be taken up due to rain.

On hearing this, a visibly angry and sweaty Ibobi reacted immediately and shouted to the Executive Officer �Where is rain? Ha, where is rain?.

Chief Minister�s outburst took everyone by surprise and Ibobi squeezed the Fruti packet so hard that the liquid spill all over his shirt.

Chief Minister threw away the Fruti packet and said loudly that only bull dozer which was pressed into service today was done only to impress the inspection team.

If the work has to be taken up in this a manner, how could the project be completed in 2006, the Chief Minister asked the Chief Engineer again.

At such slow pace, the project would not be completed even in the next three-four years, he added.

The Chief Minister said it would be better to sack the Chief Engineer who fails in his duty while asking the NPCC officials what do they gain from delaying the work.

Chief Secretary Jarnail suggested that entrusting the task in favour of private would be better.

�Private firm would see no rain no sun�, he said expressing unhappiness over the performance of NPCC.

Chief Minister said that there was no need for him to stay any longer and left the place in a huff despite a luncheon being arrangement for him and his officials team.

As he left, an infuriated Chief Minister said he would take up fitting action against those who fail to perform their duties efficiently.

It may be noted here that Khuga project was taken up in 1983-84.

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