Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 15: Government on Saturday dropped all charges levelled against three Forest Department officials.
A Regular Department Action (RDA) was initiated against Daleep Kumar Aryan, then Deputy Conservator of Forests, Agrostology Wing, Forest Department Jammu, Arit Gupta, AEE WLP/Forest Dogra Hall Complex, Jammu, and Vikas Gupta, JE, Forest Protection Force Jammu, in terms of J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control & Appeal) Rules, 1956, for their alleged involvement in preparing bills and making full advance payment to two contractors against construction of shelter sheds for nomads at Sinthan Pathri, Kishtwar, and Shaitani Nallah, Banihal, when the work was still in progress, non-completion of work within stipulated period of 45 days as per the terms and conditions laid down in the allotment order, non-deduction of negotiated rebate of 1% and 4%, and charging 0.63 mm thickness for CGS sheets for making payments instead of 0.50 mm used on spot for the construction of sheds in the month of March 2018.
Engineer Arit Gupta, AEE and Vikas Gupta, JE were also charge sheeted through the concerned Chief Engineer for the allegations levelled against them. The accused also submitted their replies to the charges after they were issued show cause notices.
After examining the charges, an inquiry was also ordered against the officers with Er Kishore Kumar, Superintending Engineer, PW(R&B) Udhampur-Reasi Circle Udhampur and Er Raafiq Ahmad, Assistant Executive Engineer, Forest Protection Force/Forest Department Jammu appointed as inquiry officer and presenting officer.
After perusal of the replies of the accused engineers to the show cause notices served on them and other record used to proceed against them, the inquiry officer recommended that the accused have not caused any loss to the State Exchequer and as such the charges levelled against them be dropped so that they are considered for honourable acquittal.
The case was further referred to the Development Commissioner (Works) for comments in the matter.
After examination of the material placed on record, the Development Commissioner Works (DCW) also recommended to drop the charges against the engineers with a warning to them to be vigilant in future.
Accordingly, the charges against the engineers were dropped and RDA case was closed.
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