Govt Suspends SMC Engineer, Orders Probe into Alleged Substandard Road Works | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: In a major administrative action against alleged corruption in infrastructure projects, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday suspended Er Imtiaz Ahmad, In-charge Executive Engineer (Civil) of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), following complaints about poor quality of macadamization and other developmental works.

An official order states that the suspension has been ordered on the directions of the Deputy Chief Minister’s Office. The action comes amid growing concerns over the quality of road construction in the city, with authorities taking a serious view of substandard execution of projects.

The order, issued by Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) Anil Kumar Singh, places Er Imtiaz Ahmad under suspension under Rule 31 of the JK Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. The engineer has been attached to the office of the Chief Engineer, Public Works (R and B), Zone North, Kashmir, for the duration of the suspension.

According to the order, a departmental inquiry has been ordered to investigate allegations against the officer, “particularly relating to the quality of macadamization, projects executed in the Division City Roads during the last two years, and all related developmental projects executed under his supervision.”

Er Sushil Kumar, In-charge Chief Engineer of PWD (R and B) Zone North, has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer and directed to submit his report within 30 days. The inquiry will scrutinize the quality of work and materials used in road construction projects undertaken by the SMC’s City Roads Division.

In a separate arrangement, Er Fareed Ahmad Khan, In-charge Executive Engineer of PWD Dalgate division, has been given additional charge of the City Roads (SMC) Division. He will also serve as the Presenting Officer in the departmental proceedings against the suspended engineer.

The government has made it clear that any modification in the posting of either the Inquiry Officer or the Presenting Officer will not affect their assigned responsibilities in this matter. (KNS)