Corruption and unethical practices are prevalent issues in Jammu and Kashmir, and it is deeply concerning that repeated directives from the administration are being blatantly disregarded without any regard for the law. The departmental work manual clearly states that no bills can be presented to the Treasury until the work is completed, and higher authorities issue timely reminders to all departments to review their monthly and quarterly performances. All of this is aimed at avoiding the surrender of funds at the end of the financial year and preventing a negative image. The government is providing ample funds for the development of every corner of the UT through various schemes, but some officers are not aligned with the current administration’s priorities. They continue to operate on their whims and fancies, assuming that they will escape punishment as they have done in the past. However, things have changed, and a zero-tolerance policy towards corrupt practices is now in place.
Once again, a matter of corrupt practices has surfaced in Kupwara. The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has ordered an inquiry against three engineers, including an executive engineer, who have been attached by the KPDCL. The inquiry is based on a report from the ACB that revealed that Rs 6 crore had been withdrawn for non-existent works in Kupwara. The engineers attached are Executive Engineer, Electric Division, Kulgam, Assistant Engineer, and Junior Engineer. The ACB found that the money was withdrawn for the procurement and installation of over 3,600 solar street lights in Kupwara, but no lights were found to have been installed during physical verification. The ACB has recommended action against the delinquent officials, including cancellation of the tender and recovery of the payments. The Executive Engineer got the bills prepared through Assistant Engineer Stores and JE Stores instead of the authorised territorial AEEs and JEs, despite communication from AEE Sub Division Kupwara and AEE Sub Division Trehgam that execution of the allotted works was not possible at the end of the financial year. It is indeed a serious matter that bills were signed not by the authorised engineers but by some other engineers who verified the bill, too, when the implementing engineers had categorically stated in writing that work could not be initiated and completed at the end of the financial year.
This is not an isolated incident, as previously, the ACB had proposed departmental action against engineers from the EM&RE Division Doda and the EM&RE Division Ganderbal for withdrawing excess payments related to the installation of poles and old transformers under the SAUBHAGYA scheme. Despite FIRs being registered, investigations being conducted, and embezzlements being uncovered, no charge sheets were filed. The only action taken was a recommendation from the ACB for regular departmental proceedings and an alert notification.
The events that have transpired indicate that there is a prevailing issue where departments are not taking orders from higher-ups seriously enough. This trend must be addressed and rectified immediately. Despite funds being disbursed on time with clearly defined deadlines for completing work, officials are blatantly disregarding departmental regulations. It is alarming that large sums of money are being embezzled, and the culpable officials are repeatedly being let off the hook, contrary to the established norms of combating corruption. The public has suffered a significant loss due to the non-delivery of three thousand six hundred solar lights. These lights would have not only illuminated their daily lives but also resulted in substantial savings of electricity. This solar light scheme was specifically implemented to promote the use of renewable energy, as directed by the Prime Minister. Those responsible for delaying the release of scheme funds until the last minute must also be held accountable, and stringent action must be taken against all.
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