A Swimming Pool For Officer's Home In Drought-Hit Chhattisgarh

Raipur: In a part of Chhattisgarh that is parched for water in the peak of summer, an officer is swimming in it.

Rajesh Chandele, the district forest officer in drought-hit Sukma, has built a pool at his government bungalow.

Attacked over such indulgence in times of crises, the state government has ordered an investigation.

"This should not have happened. Instead of building a swimming pool in his house, he could have built a pond for villagers," said Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda.

The opposition Congress alleges that Mr Chandele violated rules to add a pool at the cost of Rs 10 lakh to his official bungalow and never bothered to take permission.

The officer, who is in his late forties, is familiar with controversy. In 2014, when he was deputy forest officer, the anti-corruption bureau raided his houses and found assets worth crores.The government has been struggling to provide relief to large parts of the state declared drought-hit and compensate suffering farmers.

Chief Minister Raman Singh said Mr Chandele would be investigated and action would be taken.