Bhagalpur MP Bulo Mandal has criticised the government for assigning a once-blacklisted company the job to build embankments at Naugachia to counter floods.

Fulaina Construction, a Begusarai firm, has been assigned the job to repair spar numbers 1, 7, 8 and 9 near Saidpur in Naugachia. Mandal said: “The job is estimated to cost Rs 10 crore. The firm has to finish work by June 30 but has not started work yet.”

An official of Fulaina Construction said: “We have started to stock sandbags to build the embankment.”

Lakshman Ram, chief engineer, water resources, Bhagalpur, said: “The firm had challenged the department’s decision to blacklist it in 2008 in the high court and received a judgment in its favour. At present, it is not blacklisted.”