KD NEWS SERVICE
JAMMU, May 1:Responding to a tragic incident at a government worksite in Tathar, Bantalab, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered a detailed inquiry and simultaneously suspended two engineers, signaling a firm administrative stance on accountability in public infrastructure projects.
The directive, issued by the Public Works (R&B) Department Jammu and Kashmir from the Civil Secretariat at Jammu/Srinagar, formally acknowledges the seriousness of the incident, which occurred during the execution of official works in the area. While the exact nature of the tragedy continues to be examined, similar incidents across India in recent years—often involving collapses of under-construction structures or failures linked to oversight lapses—have heightened scrutiny on construction safety norms and enforcement, lending broader context to the government’s swift response.
Under Government Order No. 154–PW(R&B) of 2026 dated May 1, a copy of which is in possession of Kashmir Despatch, sanction has been accorded for the constitution of a three-member inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident in detail. The committee will be chaired by Er. Purshotam Kumar, Secretary Technical and Engineer-in-Chief of the department. He will be assisted by Er. Arit Gupta, Superintending Engineer, Public Works (R&B) Circle Jammu South, and Er. Rajan Mengi, Executive Engineer, Public Works (R&B) Division Satwari.
The terms of reference assigned to the committee are comprehensive and time-bound. It has been directed to inquire into all aspects of the incident, explicitly including any dereliction of duties on the part of officers of the department, and to fix responsibility—particularly in relation to the executing agency involved in the work. Beyond identifying lapses, the panel has also been tasked with recommending appropriate action against those found responsible and suggesting preventive measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future. The committee is required to submit its report within a strict deadline of 15 days, reflecting the urgency attached to the matter.
In a parallel development, and in accordance with Rule 31 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956, the government has placed two officials under suspension pending inquiry into their conduct. The suspended officers are Er. Sahil Verma, In-charge Assistant Executive Engineer, and Er. Sajid Mir, Junior Engineer, both associated with the Public Works (R&B) Sub-Division Bhawal.
The order specifies that during the period of suspension, both engineers will remain attached to the Office of the Chief Engineer, Public Works (R&B), Zone Jammu. They will be entitled to receive suspension allowance as admissible under the applicable rules, ensuring procedural compliance while disciplinary proceedings are underway.
The directive has been issued by Anil Kumar Singh, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), “by order of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir,” reinforcing that the action carries the highest level of administrative authority within the department.
The development has drawn attention to the critical importance of oversight, accountability, and adherence to engineering standards in public works, particularly in regions experiencing rapid infrastructure expansion. As the inquiry begins, its findings are expected not only to determine responsibility in this specific case but also to influence future safety and monitoring protocols across ongoing and upcoming projects in the Union Territory.
With the committee set to report within 15 days, the coming weeks are likely to be crucial in establishing both the causes of the tragedy and the administrative course that follows.
