Punjab: The state government has suspended four officials of the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS) in Faridkot following allegations of misappropriation of funds and bogus billing of about ₹30 lakh. The suspended officials include an executive engineer, an SDO, a JE and a senior assistant. The suspension comes following a complaint that highlighted financial irregularities, including misappropriation of operation and maintenance funds and payments through bogus and inflated bills. The allegations led to a departmental inquiry by the Superintending Engineer, Hoshiarpur. Based on the findings, Principal Secretary Neelkanth Awad issued the suspension orders under Rule 4 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970.
During the suspension period, the XEN and SDO will report to the office of Chief Engineer (South) in Patiala, while the JE and senior assistant will be assigned to the Chief Engineer (Central). The revelation of misappropriation of funds has come at a time when Faridkot residents are already grappling with a drinking water crisis. Locals have expressed discontent over the poor quality of water being supplied by the department. Many residents here depend on hand pumps installed near the Sirhind and Rajasthan feeder canals for drinking water. The discontent has been further fuelled by the government’s proposed concrete lining of these canals, leading to protests by residents. Locals fear that the lining will lead to water seepage, cutting off their primary source of drinking water. This has further intensified opposition to the project, as the water supply infrastructure in the city is deteriorating. Superintending Engineer Sukhpinder Singh confirmed the suspension of four officials.
