Public Health Engineering Department suspended six Executive Engineers on July 19 and issued show-cause notices to four Executive Engineers

Raipur. Following Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai’s directive to take action against negligent officials during a review of Jal Jeevan Mission works, the Public Health Engineering Department suspended six Executive Engineers on July 19. Additionally, the department has issued show-cause notices to Executive Engineers from four districts. After approval from Deputy Chief Minister and Public Health Engineering Minister Shri Arun Sao, the department has taken significant action. The department has issued suspension orders for six Executive Engineers and show-cause notices to four others.

The Public Health Engineering Department, considering negligence in Jal Jeevan Mission works and erroneous reporting as a serious dereliction of duty and indiscipline, has suspended with immediate effect the following officials: Shri Jagdish Kumar (Executive Engineer, Jagdalpur), Shri U.K. Rathiya (Executive Engineer, Bilaspur), Shri Chandrabadan Singh (Executive Engineer, Baikunthpur), Shri R.K. Dhananjay (Executive Engineer, Bemetara), Shri S.P. Mandavi (Executive Engineer, Ambikapur), and Shri J.L. Mahla (Executive Engineer, Sukma). Furthermore, show-cause notices have been issued to Shri Utkarsh Pandey (Executive Engineer, Durg), Shri Sukrant Sahu (Executive Engineer, Balod), Shri S.S. Paikra (Executive Engineer, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur), and Shri Kamal Kanwar (Executive Engineer, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh).

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai reviewed the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission, describing it as an ambitious scheme of both the state and central governments. He instructed officials to work diligently and complete the set targets on time, urging them to finish the ongoing mission’s work as soon as possible. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao also expressed dissatisfaction with the mission’s progress and directed officials to ensure 100% tap water connections in as many villages as possible. He emphasised that negligence in the Jal Jeevan Mission works would not be tolerated, and strict action would be taken against officials who were careless or submitted erroneous reports.

During their suspension period, these officials will receive a subsistence allowance as per the rules. The Public Health Engineering Department has instructed the four Executive Engineers who received show-cause notices to submit their responses within 15 days of receiving the notice. If no response is received within the stipulated time, it will be assumed that the concerned Executive Engineers have nothing to say in this regard, and the government will proceed with disciplinary action.