Jal Shakti Baramulla tightens grip on staff over water supply issues

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-05-24 14:34:39 |

Share: WhatsApp| Facebook| Twitter| Visits: 344

Warns officials of action for ignoring public grievances

Muhammad Adnan 

Baramulla, May 24: Amid growing complaints from residents about irregular and disrupted water supply, the Jal Shakti Department Baramulla has taken a tough stance, expressing strong dissatisfaction over the lapses in service delivery.

In a circular issued on Saturday, the Executive Engineer Jal Shakti Baramulla highlighted that despite the completion and commissioning of multiple water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and other programmes, the public continues to face supply issues. The circular blamed the inconsistent service on the indifference of technical staff, including Junior Engineers, Assistant Engineers, and Sub-Divisional officers.

"The frustration among the public has reached a level where they resort to road blockades after their repeated appeals go unheard," the circular reads.

To address the situation, the department has directed all concerned officers—Assistant Executive Engineers, Assistant Engineers, and Junior Engineers—to rationally deploy sufficient manpower within their respective areas.

The officers, as per the circular, have also been instructed to issue advisories promoting the judicious use of water and ensure wide publicity of these messages at public locations.

"The officials are required to stay accessible around the clock and handle public complaints proactively and courteously, even if the solution lies beyond their immediate jurisdiction.

"The officers must also notify the public in advance during any repair or restoration work," it reads 

Failure to follow these directives, as per the circular will be considered deliberate insubordination and negligence of duty, constituting misconduct and a breach of Rule 3 (Clause 1) of the J\&K Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971.

The circular reads that all government employees must maintain absolute integrity, dedication to duty, and avoid any behavior that could discredit public service.

Any violations will attract disciplinary measures under the J\&K CCA Rules, 1956, which may include suspension, withholding of annual increments, or monetary penalties, it reads.

The Executive Engineer further warned that any such disciplinary actions will be duly reflected in the concerned official's Annual Performance Reports (APRs).