Chandigarh, Feb 10 (IANS) Taking serious note of the poor quality of construction work and the use of sub-standard furniture in all the 21 new model schools established under a centrally-sponsored scheme in Punjab, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the matter.

Badal has sought action against the erring officers and contractors for the alleged irregularities. The decision was taken by Badal in a meeting with the principals of these schools here Wednesday.

Director General of School Education Krishan Kumar, along with the principals, informed the chief minister about the poor quality of construction and the sub-standard material used in the buildings.

Badal asked his principal secretary D.S. Guru to personally look into these complaints and take strict action.

Badal lamented the misutilization of public funds during the construction of these school buildings. He directed senior officials of state government construction agencies to visit all the schools and get the entire construction work redone as per the norms.

Out of the 21 model schools, the construction work of 12 schools had been allotted to the state's Public Works Department (PWD) and nine to the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA).