Engineering students would now assess the quality of the development works being carried out by the Haryana States Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB).

Disclosing this, chief administrator, HSAMB, Mandeep Singh Brar said the board has taken this unique initiative to put a constant tab on the quality of material used in the construction of various development works undertaken by it across the state. The work of sample collection will begin on 1 July, 2018.

Under this initiative, the board has tied up with Jai Parkash Mukand Lal Innovative Engineering and Technology Institute (JMIETI). Teachers and students of JMIETI would jointly collect samples from development works at different sites in the state.

They would get those samples tested in a laboratory and send the report directly to the state government. Since the JMIETI would do this work free of cost, it would reduce the heavy expenses incurred by the board on getting the sampling work done by outside agencies.

Brar said on examination of the samples, the quality of material used for construction would be revealed, if it was up to the mark or not. The sampling work would be done in the presence of junior engineer, senior engineer and sub-divisional officer of the department, and for transparency, videography of the sample collection would be done.

Even if junior engineer, senior engineer and sub-divisional officer are not present on the spot, they would be held responsible for the results.

He said that no officer or official of the department would establish any contact or try to influence the teachers and students of JMIETI. Strict action would be taken against the officer or official trying to influence or hamper the sampling work.

Development works worth about Rs 610 crore of marketing boards are under progress.

Brar said with this initiative, the students would do practical work besides academics. For practical work, the students would also be given marks.

Students who find more flaws would be honoured. Thus, they would be able to make positive contribution to the country, he added.

Meanwhile, Gurugram residents can now buy fresh vegetables and fruits directly from farmers through three kiosks.

The Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board (HSAMB) has allotted three kiosks to farmers in Gurugram to enable them to sell fresh vegetables and fruits directly to the consumers and get remunerative prices for their produce.