The Government has ordered an in-depth departmental inquiry against five serving officials after a committee investigating alleged misappropriation of Government funds in a NABARD-funded road project in Shopian found gross lapses, misconduct and violations of applicable guidelines, identified 23 delinquent officials, and recommended a comprehensive financial audit to quantify the loss to the State exchequer.
The case relates to the execution of the project for "Strengthening/Upgradation of Checki Kachdora to Checki Nowgam and Chetripora-Kaprin Road", sanctioned under NABARD-XXIII in Public Works (R&B) Division Shopian.
The Government order stated that the PW(R&B) Department had received credible inputs and a discreet report regarding alleged misappropriation of Government funds by engineers and officials of the division in connection with the project.
A committee constituted in February 2025 was tasked with examining the sanctioned and allotted costs, quantities executed, funds released and expenditure incurred, quality parameters and compliance with financial, procurement and engineering rules, besides examining the reasons for delay in completion of the project.The committee, headed by the then Engineer-in-Chief, submitted its report on April 16, 2025. However, certain aspects of the matter remained unaddressed.
Following the retirement of its chairman on June 30, 2025, the Government constituted a fresh committee in July 2025 with an expanded mandate to examine the matter and identify all officers and officials associated with the execution of the works and the nature of violations committed.
The fresh committee, headed by the Chief Engineer, DIQC Jammu, submitted its findings on September 17, 2025, followed by a clarification report on December 9, 2025.
According to the Government order, the committee established gross lapses, misconduct and violation of applicable guidelines in the execution of the works.It also found officials associated with the project to have acted in violation of standard operating procedures and engineering practices and guidelines.
The committee recommended a comprehensive financial audit to assess the gross irregularities and quantify the potential loss to the State exchequer.It also identified 23 officers and officials as delinquent in connection with the execution of the works.
Of the 23 officials, 18 were reported to have retired more than two years ago, while one had died.
Consequently, regular departmental proceedings against them could not be instituted under Article 168 of the J&K Civil Service Regulations, 1956.
The Government, however, made it clear that consequential action would follow if any loss to the exchequer is subsequently found attributable to these officials.The remaining five serving officials have been subjected to regular departmental action under Rule 33 of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956.Those facing proceedings are Farooq Ahmad Naikoo, AEE; Vikram Nain Singh, Draftsman; Tariq Ahmed Malik, Draftsman; Javaid Ahmed Malik, Draftsman; and Ghulam Hassan, Road Worker/ Divisional Store Keeper.
Memorandums containing Articles of Charges and other relevant documents were served on the five officials.
They submitted replies denying the charges, but the Government found their responses insufficient or unreasonable in view of the findings of the Inquiry Committee and the records available in the case, which, according to the order, held them guilty of gross misconduct and involvement in the matter.
The Government has now sanctioned an in-depth inquiry into the charges against the serving officials.
Syed Ishfaq Ahmad, In-charge Superintending Engineer (Civil), R&B Circle Anantnag, has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer, while Maqsood Shafi Basu, In-charge Executive Engineer, PMGSY Division Pulwama, has been appointed as the Presenting Officer.
The Inquiry Officer has been directed to submit his report and findings within 30 days from the date of issuance of the Government order and to clearly state, with reasons, whether the allegations and charges against the officials are sustained or otherwise.The order further stated that any change in the posting of the Inquiry Officer or Presenting Officer shall not prevent them from performing the duties assigned under the proceedings.