The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a fresh in-depth inquiry into alleged misappropriation of government funds and gross irregularities in the execution of two road projects in Shopian, with five serving Public Works (R&B) Department employees facing disciplinary proceedings.The action concerns the strengthening and upgradation of the Checki Kachdora–Checki Nowgam and Chetripora–Kaprin roads, sanctioned under NABARD XXIII.Under Government Order No. 338 PW(R&B) of 2026, Er Syed Ishfaq Ahmad, In-Charge Superintending Engineer (Civil), R&B Circle Anantnag, has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer. Er Maqsood Shafi Basu, In-Charge Executive Engineer, PMGSY Division Pulwama, has been designated as the Presenting Officer.The Inquiry Officer has been directed to submit the findings within 30 days and determine whether the charges against the accused officials are established, along with reasons.The department said it received credible inputs and a discreet report alleging financial irregularities and misuse of government funds by engineers and officials of the R&B Division, Shopian, in connection with the road works.An earlier committee constituted in February 2025 examined the sanctioned and allotted costs, executed quantities, expenditure, quality parameters and compliance with contractual conditions, bid documents, financial rules and engineering manuals.A subsequent committee report submitted in September 2025, followed by a clarification in December, recorded what the department described as “gross lapses, misconduct and violation of applicable guidelines.” The committee also recommended a comprehensive financial audit to assess the irregularities and determine any potential loss to the state exchequer.The report identified 23 officers and officials associated with the execution of the works. Of these, 18 had retired more than two years earlier and one had died, making disciplinary proceedings against them impermissible under Article 168 of the J&K Civil Service Regulations, 1956.However, the Government said consequential action would follow if any loss to the exchequer was subsequently established against them.Disciplinary proceedings under Rule 33 of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956, have been initiated against five serving employees: Executive Engineer Er Farooq Ahmad Naikoo, Draftsmen Vikram Nain Singh, Tariq Ahmed Malik and Javaid Ahmed Malik, and Road Worker (Divisional Store Keeper) Ghulam Hassan.The charged employees denied the allegations in their replies. The department, however, said their responses were not sufficient to absolve them in view of the committee’s findings and available records.The fresh Shopian road inquiry will examine the charges, officials’ responses and other relevant facts before determining whether the allegations are established.
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