SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Jal Shakti Department has ordered the elevation of 25 Executive Engineers to Superintending Engineers, given an administrative exigency.
According to Government Order Nos. 94-JK (JSD) of 2025 and 100-JK (JSD) of 2025, the engineers have been promoted on an in-charge basis to address a shortage of over 90 percent in the cadre of Superintending Engineers. The department noted that the acute shortfall had significantly impacted the implementation of various water supply schemes across the Union Territory.
The decision follows a review of the department’s human resource status by Jal Shakti Minister Javed Ahmed Rana. In response to the findings, the Minister directed the department to explore options for elevation of eligible Executive Engineers to supervisory roles to ensure continuity in project execution.
Minister Rana, who has been regularly assessing the department’s staffing situation, has also issued directions for timely conduct of Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) and improved coordination between the Jal Shakti Department and the recruiting agencies to fill vacancies on a priority basis.
In line with these directives, an accountability mechanism is also being put in place to hold responsible those officers who contributed to mismanagement in the engineering cadre.
The elevations have been made with relaxation of rules, justified by the pressing need to strengthen field-level supervision. The posts are considered essential for the execution of major initiatives, including the Jal Jeevan Mission.
