SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has closed Regular Departmental Action (RDA) against two engineers of the PMGSY Division Doda after an inquiry found no lack of diligence on their part in connection with damage to forest trees during construction of the Bhargran-Behota road.
The charges against then Assistant Executive Engineer Jagdish Kumar and then Junior Engineer Mohd Farooq have been dropped, with the government issuing them a non-recordable warning to remain vigilant in future.
The case arose from an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) verification concerning damage caused to forest trees after a contractor allegedly dumped debris and excavated earth downhill during construction of the road.
The ACB had earlier assessed the loss at Rs 28,48,040 and recommended recovery of the amount from the concerned contractor for disbursement to the Forest Department for reforestation.
Departmental proceedings were initiated against the two engineers in May 2024 after their initial replies denying the charges were found unsatisfactory. An inquiry subsequently conducted by an officer appointed by the Public Works (R and B) Department recommended that the charges be dropped.
The matter was examined afresh by a three-member committee constituted in September 2025, headed by Special Secretary, Public Works (R and B) Department, with the Chief Engineer, Design, Inspection and Quality Control, and the In-Charge Superintending Engineer, Public Works (R and B) Circle Doda-Kishtwar as members.
The committee, after examining records and conducting a spot inspection, concluded that the PMGSY and Forest departments were aware of the site’s topography, gradient and hard-rock conditions while preparing the project documents, forest clearance proposals, compensation and detailed estimates.
It also noted that forest and tree compensation had been provided for, including an additional 25 per cent compensation for execution losses. The committee therefore found no lack of diligence on the part of the Assistant Executive Engineer and Junior Engineer.
However, it held that additional damage beyond the 25 per cent execution losses was attributable to the contractor’s allegedly negligent and unprofessional work. It recommended recovery of the additional amount from the contractor as a penalty under the applicable contract conditions and payment of the recovered sum to the Forest Department.
The Engineer-in-Chief (Secretary Technical) of the Public Works (R and B) Department subsequently endorsed the committee’s findings and recommended closure of the RDA against the two engineers, while advising them to remain more vigilant and ensure that contractors are penalised or reprimanded wherever warranted.
The government has accordingly directed the Chief Engineer, Public Works (R and B) Department, Chenab Valley Zone, to initiate action against the contractor in accordance with the contract conditions and remit any amount recovered for the additional damage to the Forest Department.
The decision was issued under Government Order No. 305-PW(R and B) of 2026 dated August 31, 2026, with the approval of the competent authority.
