Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 9: A Senior Assistant in the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department of Jammu and Kashmir was dismissed from service today for his alleged involvement in the embezzlement of funds worth more than Rs 1.63 crore.
An order issued by Financial Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti (PHE) Department Shaleen Kabra also directed that the embezzled amount be recovered from the Senior Assistant, Nikhil Gandral and remitted into the Government treasury.
Gandral, working as cashier in the Public Health Engineering Department’s City Division-I here, was placed under suspension on December 12, 2019, pending an inquiry. A four-member committee was formed to verify and compile the revenue details for the period of 1st April 2019 to 31st October 2019, pertaining to financial irregularities.
The action against Gandral coincided with a week-long ‘Bhrashtachar-Mukt J&K’ campaign which started across the Union Territory on September 4 with the aim of eradicating corruption and promoting transparent and accountable governance.
Wrapping up a series of investigations and proceedings against Gandral since 2019, the order said, Gandral is also disqualified from any future employment with the Government.
“An FIR was registered against the official in the Crime Branch, Jammu, and later, the General Administration Department sanctioned the prosecution against him,” the Order stated.
By issuing another order issued by Financial Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department, Regular Departmental Action (RDA) has been initiated against Harbinder Singh Behl (the then I/c Executive Engineer, PHE City Division-I, Jammu and now retired), for his negligence and lackadaisical approach which created an opportunity for embezzlement.
“A penalty of withholding of three increments and consequent promotion(s) thereof is hereby imposed upon Harbinder Singh Behl,” the order mentioned.
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