The Jammu and Kashmir government has initiated departmental proceedings and placed five engineers of the Public Works (R&B) Department under suspension after reports of unauthorised absence from duty and delays in snow clearance operations at several crucial places. The Deputy Chief Minister has directed departments to ensure swift snow clearance and warned that any lapse would invite strict action.
The action follows a stern directive from the Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary during a review meeting at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), Srinagar.According to an official communication issued by the Public Works (R&B) Department, Assistant Engineer Sandeep Vaishnavi of the Machinery Division, Srinagar, was found absent from duty during the Deputy CM’s visit. This led to the administrative action.
The communication states that complaints were received from elected representatives and public delegations from areas including Shopian, Anantnag, Imam Sahib, Tangmarg and Zainapora, alleging poor response and delays in snow clearance that hampered road connectivity and essential services.
In response, the Deputy CM directed that the officials be placed under suspension and their duties reassigned. These officials include Noor Din, AEE, PW(R&B) Sub-Division Imam Sahib, Zainapora Division, Shabir Ahmad Ganie, AEE, Mechanical & Hospital Division, Tangmarg, Nasir, AE, Mechanical & Hospital Division, Anantnag (Sub Division-II), Sandeep Vaishnavi, AE (PM Package), Machinery Division Srinagar and Ramiz, JE, Mechanical & Hospital Division, Zainapora, Sub-Division Imam Sahib.The communique also sought inputs from the Chief Engineer, M&HD Kashmir to proceed further in the matter.
Pertinently Kashmir witnessed heavy snowfall and strong winds this week, disrupting road, air and power connectivity across the Valley. Meanwhile, the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of Engineers—representing the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Engineers Graduates Association (JKCEGA) and the Jammu and Kashmir Mechanical Engineers Graduates Association (JKMEGA)—has expressed “serious concern, surprise and displeasure” over recent recommendations for the suspension of engineers from the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) and Mechanical departments.
In a detailed statement, the JCC asserted that most of the officers named were discharging their duties strictly within their jurisdiction and in accordance with established procedures. Their functioning, the committee said, had already been examined and endorsed by the respective administrative officers at district and sub-district levels.
The committee said engineers in Jammu and Kashmir, who are central to the delivery of essential public services and implementation of development projects, are increasingly being subjected to a “demoralising and suffocating environment.” It argued that governance in the present socio-political framework revolves around development and effective service delivery, outcomes that depend substantially on the performance and commitment of engineers.
According to the JCC, financial indicators of the Union Territory over the current and previous fiscal years demonstrate that engineers have largely met development targets. “Despite this, engineers are facing public humiliation, media trials and undue pressure during administrative meetings, which only distracts from their core responsibilities and adversely affects morale and efficiency,” the statement said.
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