SRINAGAR: The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of Engineers—representing the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Engineers Graduates Association (JKCEGA) and the Jammu and Kashmir Mechanical Engineers Graduates Association (JKMEGA)—has expressed “serious concern, surprise and displeasure” over recent recommendations for the suspension of engineers from the Public Works (Roads and Buildings) and Mechanical departments.
In a detailed statement issued on Tuesday, the JCC asserted that most of the officers named were discharging their duties strictly within their jurisdiction and in accordance with established procedures. Their functioning, the committee said, had already been examined and endorsed by the respective administrative officers at district and sub-district levels.
The committee said engineers in Jammu and Kashmir, who are central to the delivery of essential public services and implementation of development projects, are increasingly being subjected to a “demoralising and suffocating environment.” It argued that governance in the present socio-political framework revolves around development and effective service delivery, outcomes that depend substantially on the performance and commitment of engineers.
According to the JCC, financial indicators of the Union Territory over the current and previous fiscal years demonstrate that engineers have largely met development targets. “Despite this, engineers are facing public humiliation, media trials and undue pressure during administrative meetings, which only distracts from their core responsibilities and adversely affects morale and efficiency,” the statement said.
Highlighting recent incidents, the JCC cited the attack on engineers in Pulwama, in which a junior engineer sustained injuries, as well as the challenges faced during the recent snowfall when engineering staff worked round the clock to restore water supply, clear snow-blocked roads and revive electricity services. It also pointed to delays in infrastructure projects such as bridge construction, noting that such delays often involve multiple factors beyond the control of field engineers.
Referring specifically to the pan-Kashmir snowfall on January 23, 2026, the committee said that in some areas more than four feet of snow accumulated within three hours due to gusty winds, severely hampering snow-clearance operations. This, it noted, was evident on social media and had also been acknowledged by the Chief Engineer, Mechanical & Hospital Engineering Department, and his team.
The JCC further underlined structural constraints, stating that while the road network has expanded manifold over the years, there has been no corresponding increase in subdivisions, divisions or supporting infrastructure following reorganisation. Large-scale vacancies at all levels—Junior Engineer, Assistant Engineer, Assistant Executive Engineer and Executive Engineer—remain unfilled despite repeated representations to the government. Importantly, the post of Superintending Engineer (Mechanical), the nodal officer for mechanised snow clearance, is currently vacant, it said.
The committee stressed that during emergencies such as snowfall, the entire district administration functions in close coordination under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner, who regularly updates the government on restoration efforts. Similarly, heads of departments are kept informed of reasons for delays through formal reporting mechanisms. “It is therefore appropriate to rely on established administrative channels rather than unverified social-media reels and videos,” the JCC said, while reiterating its support for transparency and accountability and calling for action against proven negligence strictly under service rules.
Seeking the immediate intervention of the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary, the JCC urged the government to take cognisance of the prevailing conditions that, it said, are acting as deterrents to engineers performing their duties effectively. The committee also reminded the Chief Minister of the assurances and encouraging words extended to engineers on Engineers’ Day, September 15, 2025, at the Institution of Engineers (India) in Srinagar.
Drawing a stark analogy, the JCC said, “Just as a demoralised army can never win a war, a demoralised engineering fraternity cannot deliver on developmental goals.” It called on the top leadership to send a clear message that while non-performance will not be tolerated, the dignity, honour and professional integrity of engineers will be protected.
The committee expressed hope that the proposed suspensions would be reviewed objectively and withdrawn where unwarranted, stating that such a step would help restore morale and enable engineers to perform better under harsh winter conditions in service of the public.
