- Five Serving R&B Officials Face Departmental Inquiry; 23 Officials Named in Investigation
- 18 Retired Officials, One Deceased; Financial Audit Proposed to Determine Possible Loss to Government
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 6 (KNC): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a fresh and comprehensive departmental inquiry into alleged financial irregularities, procedural violations and possible misappropriation of Government funds during the execution of a NABARD-funded road project in Shopian district.
The departmental action follows findings of inquiry committees which flagged serious lapses, alleged misconduct and deviations from prescribed financial, procurement and engineering procedures in the implementation of the project.
The case relates to the strengthening and upgradation of the Checki Kachdora–Checki Nowgam and Chetripora–Kaprin road stretches, undertaken under NABARD-XXIII through the Public Works Department (Roads & Buildings), Shopian.
According to the Government order, the R&B Department had received information, including a discreet report, alleging irregularities in the utilisation of public funds by engineers and other officials associated with the execution of the works.
Following the allegations, the Government constituted an inquiry committee in February 2025 to examine the project in detail. The committee was tasked with scrutinising the sanctioned and allotted cost, quantities executed, funds released, expenditure incurred, quality of construction, compliance with financial and procurement rules, engineering procedures and the reasons for delays in completion.
The committee, headed by the then Engineer-in-Chief, submitted its report on April 16, 2025. However, certain issues remained to be examined further.
After the retirement of the committee chairman on June 30, 2025, the Government constituted another committee in July 2025 with an expanded mandate to undertake a more detailed examination of the matter.
The subsequent committee, headed by the Chief Engineer, DIQC Jammu, submitted its findings on September 17, 2025, followed by a clarification report on December 9, 2025.
The findings pointed towards gross procedural lapses, alleged misconduct and violations of established financial and engineering guidelines during the execution of the road works.
The committee has also recommended a comprehensive financial audit to ascertain the extent of the alleged irregularities and determine whether any financial loss has been caused to the Government exchequer.
23 Officials Identified in Inquiry
The inquiry process identified 23 officers and officials who were either allegedly responsible for or associated with the irregularities under examination.
Of the 23 officials, 18 had retired more than two years earlier, while one official had died. Consequently, regular departmental proceedings could not be initiated against them under the applicable provisions of the J&K Civil Service Regulations, 1956.
However, the Government has made it clear that further consequential action may be considered if the proposed financial audit establishes that any loss to the public exchequer is attributable to the retired officials.
Five Serving Officials Face Departmental Proceedings
The Government has initiated departmental proceedings against the remaining five serving officials under Rule 33 of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956.
The officials named in the proceedings are:Farooq Ahmad Naikoo — Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE)* Vikram Nain Singh — Draftsman* Tariq Ahmed Malik — Draftsman* Javaid Ahmed Malik — Draftsman* Ghulam Hassan — Road Worker/Divisional Store Keeper
The officials were served memorandums containing the Articles of Charges, along with relevant supporting documents. They reportedly rejected the allegations in their replies.
After examining their responses along with the inquiry committee’s findings and the available official record, the Government found their explanations unsatisfactory, leading to the decision to conduct a detailed departmental inquiry.
Inquiry Officer, Presenting Officer Appointed
The Government has appointed Syed Ishfaq Ahmad, In-charge Superintending Engineer (Civil), R&B Circle Anantnag, as the Inquiry Officer.
Maqsood Shafi Basu, In-charge Executive Engineer, PMGSY Division Pulwama, has been designated as the Presenting Officer in the proceedings.
The Inquiry Officer has been directed to complete the inquiry and submit the findings and final report within 30 days from the date of issuance of the Government order.
The inquiry report will have to specifically establish, with reasons, whether the charges framed against the concerned officials are proved or not proved.
The Government has also clarified that any subsequent change in the posting of either the Inquiry Officer or the Presenting Officer will not relieve them of the responsibility to complete the proceedings entrusted to them.
The development comes as the Jammu and Kashmir Government continues to place emphasis on financial discipline, transparency, accountability and strict supervision of public works, particularly in projects involving substantial expenditure from public funds.
The proposed financial audit and departmental inquiry are expected to establish the extent of the alleged irregularities and determine responsibility, if any, for any loss caused to the Government exchequer.(KNC)
