NABARD Road Project 'Scam' In Shopian: Govt Orders In-Depth Inquiry, 5 Officers Face Charges; 18 Retired Officials Identified

NABARD Road Project ‘Scam’ In Shopian: Govt Orders In-Depth Inquiry, 5 Officers Face Charges; 18 Retired Officials Identified

Srinagar, Oct 5 (GNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered an in-depth inquiry into alleged misappropriation of government funds in the execution of the project “Strengthening/Upgradation of Checki Kachdora to Checki Nowgam and Chetripora-Kaprin Road” sanctioned under NABARD-XXIII in Public Works (R&B) Division Shopian.

As per Government Order, a copy of which lies with GNS, the PW(R&B) Department had received credible inputs regarding misappropriation by engineers and officials of R&B Division Shopian.

Initially, vide Order No. 53-PW(R&B) of 2025 dated 18.02.2025, a Committee headed by Er. Tanveer Mir, Engineer-in-Chief, with Er. Atul Bali, Chief Engineer DIQC and Er. Ishfaq Mohmad Beigh, SE Circle Anantnag as members was constituted to examine sanctioned cost, allotted cost, executed quantities, funds released, quality parameters and adherence to GFR, procurement manual and PWD Manual.

The Committee submitted its report on 16.04.2025, but certain aspects were found unaddressed and its Chairman retired on 30.06.2025. A fresh Committee was then constituted vide Order No. 226-PW(R&B) of 2025 dated 21.07.2025 headed by Chief Engineer DIQC Jammu, which in reports dated 17.09.2025 and 09.12.2025 established gross lapses, misconduct and violation of guidelines and suggested a comprehensive financial audit to quantify loss to exchequer. The Committee identified 23 delinquent officers/officials.

Out of them, 18 had retired more than two years ago and 01 had expired, making RDA proceedings not maintainable under Article 168 of JKCSR 1956. However, action will follow if loss is attributed to them.

For the remaining 5 in-service officers/officials, RDA proceedings under Rule-33 of J&K Civil Services (CC&A) Rules 1956 were initiated and memorandums were served. The accused include Er. Farooq Ahmad Naikoo, Vikram Nain Singh, Tariq Ahmed Malik, Javaid Ahmed Malik and Ghulam Hassan (Road Worker/Divisional Store Keeper).

Their replies denying charges were found insufficient in view of findings of the Inquiry Committee.

Now the government has appointed Er. Syed Ishfaq Ahmad, In-charge Superintending Engineer R&B Circle Anantnag as Inquiry Officer and Maqsood Shafi Basu, In-charge Executive Engineer PMGSY Division Pulwama as Presenting Officer to conduct in-depth inquiry.

The Inquiry Officer has been directed to submit findings within 30 days, clearly indicating whether charges are sustained, and change in posting shall not affect the inquiry.(GNS)