Srinagar, October 5: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a detailed inquiry into alleged financial irregularities in the execution of the Checki Kachdora–Checki Nowgam and Chetripora–Kaprin road project in Shopian, sanctioned under NABARD-XXIII and executed through the Public Works (R&B) Division Shopian.
The government said it had received credible reports alleging misappropriation of public funds and procedural violations by engineers and other officials associated with the project.
An earlier committee, constituted in February 2025, was tasked with examining several aspects of the project, including the sanctioned and allotted costs, quantities executed, funds released, quality standards and compliance with financial and procurement rules.
Although the committee submitted its report in April 2025, some issues remained unresolved. A fresh committee was subsequently constituted in July 2025 to conduct a further examination.
The second committee, in its reports, pointed to serious lapses, misconduct and violations of prescribed guidelines, and recommended a comprehensive financial audit to determine the extent of any loss to the government exchequer. It identified 23 officials in connection with the alleged irregularities.
Of these, 18 officials had retired more than two years earlier, while one had died. As a result, formal disciplinary proceedings under the applicable service rules could not be initiated against them. However, the government has indicated that appropriate action may still be considered if financial losses are established against any of them.
Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the five serving officials, who were served formal charge memorandums. The officials include engineers and other personnel associated with the R&B Division. Their responses to the allegations were examined but were not considered satisfactory in light of the inquiry committee's findings.
The government has now appointed Er. Syed Ishfaq Ahmad, In-charge Superintending Engineer, R&B Circle Anantnag, as the Inquiry Officer. Maqsood Shafi Basu, In-charge Executive Engineer, PMGSY Division Pulwama, has been designated as the Presenting Officer.
The Inquiry Officer has been directed to conduct a comprehensive examination and submit the findings within 30 days, clearly stating whether the charges against the concerned officials are proved or not.
The government has also clarified that any subsequent change in the posting of the officers involved will not affect the ongoing inquiry.
