Corruption in Teesta barrage in LF rule, claims panel

"There has been big corruption in the tender in regard to the construction of the project," Bhuniya told reporters.

"I have submitted the report to the Chief Minister who will study it and suggest action," he said

After coming to power last year, the Mamata Banerjee government formed a committee to look into the delay in the Teesta barrage project which it intends to complete by 2015.

The five-member committee headed by a retired chief engineer of the project also looked into the extent of corruption during the course of the project and to work out a 'road map' in completing the project.

Planned in the mid-seventies, the project was aimed at bringing 9,22,000 hectare under irrigation in the North Bengal districts of Cooch Bihar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur and Malda.

"Delay in acquisition of land by the previous government, disputes on several plots of acquired lands, poor law and order situation and corruption came in the way of its speedy execution," Bhuniya had earlier said.