Almora – In a major administrative action, Chief Engineer S.N. Singh of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Kumaon region, posted in Almora, has been relieved from his duties and repatriated to his parent department, the Irrigation Department. The action was taken following directions from the Secretary, Rural Development, and an official order was issued by Himanshu Khurana, CEO of the Uttarakhand Rural Development Agency (URDA).
Until further orders, the responsibilities of the Chief Engineer, PMGSY Kumaon, will be managed by the Superintendent Engineer, PMGSY Circle Jyolikot, in addition to his current duties.
This action comes in response to S.N. Singh’s repeated absence from office without notice, lack of initiative in ensuring quality in PMGSY projects, weak supervision, poor control over subordinate staff, and delayed progress in compensation disbursal. Multiple complaints had been received regarding the poor quality of road construction under PMGSY across the Kumaon region.
Specific complaints regarding the Danya-Ara-Salpada motor road were not addressed, prompting show-cause notices to:
- Vinod Kumar, Superintendent Engineer
- Gyanesh Chandra Upadhyay, Executive Engineer in-charge
- K.N. Sati, Assistant Engineer, PMGSY, Irrigation Division Almora
In addition, regarding the “MRL-18 Kasiyalekh-Budibana-Supi” motor road, action was also taken against:
- Meena Bhatt, Executive Engineer
- Sanjay Tiwari, Assistant Engineer, PMGSY, PWD Division Kathgodam
All officers have been instructed to submit satisfactory explanations within two days.
