“Financial misconduct” accused Clerk becomes “Blue eyed Boy" of I&FC Chief Engineer

Srinagar, April 27 (RNA): Accused of causing a huge financial loss worth Lakhs to state exchequer by drawing SRO benefits to nearly a dozen employees illegally, a junior Assistant in Hydraulic Division Uri has found his saviour in none other than the Chief Engineer of the department himself. Ironically the concerned Clerk who was shifted from the division -where he was on deputation- has found his way back in the same division with the help of Chief Engineer just a little more than a month after authorities at Circle level - found him involved in huge “financial Fraud”.Instead of taking disciplinary action, the Chief Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control department chose to remain silent on the issue for one full month before bestowing him with a formal posting in the same division ignoring the SE’s recommendations thus creating a huge uproar in the department and civil society alike. According to official documents accessed by RNA, the concerned establishment Clerk who was on deputation in Uri Hydraulic Division has drawn illegal benefits in favour of ten employees of the division in the garb of SRO 59 thus causing loss of lakhs of rupees to the state exchequer. The alleged fraud was flagged by the Superintending Engineer of Hydraulics Circle Sopore (who is the controlling authority of the division) following which the Clerk was not only sent back to his original place of posting in Baramulla but his Executive Engineer also been asked to make recoveries. The SE had also sent a letter to Chief Engineer informing him about the “fraud" and Cautioning against posting him again in the Uri division. “ As verified from the records/pay acquittance Rolls of your division benefits under SRO-59 in favour of below named employees , who were not eligible , have been provided without any authority from the competent authority. In this connection you are directed to stop the benefits of these officials and ensure full recovery of the illegal benefits which have provided to them, without any fail. In the meantime I/C establishment Clerk, Mr. Anaval ( Jr. Asstt) born on the establishment of Mech.Irrigation division Baramulla, but working on deputation in your division be directed to attend this office on 19-03-2022 at 11 am positively.” Reads the letter issued by Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Circle Sopore ( Who is controlling authority of all PHE/ I&fc divisions in the North Kashmir) vide No. SE/Hyd/Esstt/15019-22 dated 18-03-2022, (a copy of which lies with RNA) addressed to Executive Engineer Uri. Copies of the same letter have been dispatched to Chief Engineers of PHE & I&FC Kashmir, Director Finance Civil Secretariat Srinagar also. Interestingly the SE in the same letter has requested Chief Engineer I&FS that the clerk should not be posted in Uri division in future. However, ignoring the SE's advice, the Chief Engineer in a surprise decision has transferred the said Clerk back to Uri division in just one month making mockery of the system. In an order issued on 26th of April, vide Number 14-Eof 2022 Dated 26-04-2022, the Chief Engineer has formally transferred him to uri on the pretext of “in the interest of administration”, triggering speculations that efforts were afoot to wrap the "scandal" under the carpet. When RNA contacted Chief Engineer I&FC Kashmir for his comments on the alleged Scam, he expressed his ignorance over the issue but said he will seek a detailed report from the concerned Executive Engineer. But, just hours later, He according to sources, issued the transfer order without actually waiting for the report from the Executive Engineer. The locals have told RNA that they will not tolerate such kind of practices and will approach Lt. Governor and divisional administration . They said authorities cannot take such things for granted and make mockery of the anti-graft resolve of the Prime Minister. Meanwhile an officer in the finance department told RNA that this was a gross misconduct on the part of the Chief Engineer to post him again in the division without initiating an enquiry to say the least. “This is a clear violation of rules. How can he be posted there again when SE has warned against it? Chief Engineer should have suspended him pending enquiry to say the least, “the officer in the finance department told RNA wishing not to be named. RNA