Jamshedpur, Nov. 26: Victims of manmade famine in Dumaria, a block in Ghatshila subdivision, some 80km from Jamshedpur, which voted in the first phase of rural polls, may get some respite soon.

Two probes have been ordered to find out why most of its check dams got washed away, guard walls unable to bear the onslaught of even the second monsoon, leaving Dumaria fields parched and its farmers jobless.

In both the orders - the first coming from the state directorate of soil conservation, agriculture department, and the second from East Singhbhum DC - reports are to be submitted in 10 days flat.

Both came in the wake of a report in The Telegraph ( Washout of Hope, November 22) on check dams so poorly built that at least 21 of the 25 built costing Rs 13 lakh each were reduced to rubble by rain within a year of construction.

The director of directorate of soil conservation, Rajiv Kumar, said they had taken note of the newspaper report to ask the district soil conservation officer to submit a primary report within 10 days.

"I mailed the official concerned on November 23 and followed it up with an order on November 25 asking him to submit a report within 10 days," Kumar said over phone from Ranchi. "We asked for details on when each was built and damages."

Despite ongoing panchayat polls, where most officials in soil conservation department are tied up, Kumar said they sought the primary report by December 5 on the status of all the check dams built in Dumaria panchayat Birsa Munda Pucca Check Dam project.

"We are taking it (the newspaper report) very seriously," Kumar added. "After the primary report, they will send a detailed report with photographs of damaged check dams and the steps to be taken for repairs."

East Singhbhum district soil conservation officer Amresh Jha confirmed he had received the order from Ranchi. "We will do the needful," he said.

Today, East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal also constituted a probe committee to investigate into alleged irregularities in the construction of check dams in Dumaria.

Saying he also had given the probe team a 10-day deadline from today, Kaushal added that for the sake of neutrality, the panel comprised experts from different departments.

"Two engineers from special division and an executive engineer from rural engineering services will conduct the probe under Dumaria BDO Mrityunjay Kumar and submit the report within 10 days on the status of all check dams built in Dumaria," DC Kaushal said.