Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Aug 18: The post of Chief Engineer (CE) in the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department of Kashmir has remained vacant since March, following the retirement of Braham Jyoti Sharma, the outgoing CE.
Sources in the department said that despite the vacancy, no officer has been given additional charge and the CE position has yet to be formally filled.
They added that technical matters and ongoing projects are being managed by other officers, but the absence of a CE means that key decisions requiring the Chief Engineer’s authority are being delayed.
With the winter season approaching, concerns are rising over the timely execution of flood and irrigation works across the region.
Meanwhile, the government has reportedly relaxed some requirements to allow qualified engineers to be promoted, but no formal appointment has been made for the Flood and Irrigation CE post so far.
“Currently, technical officers are handling ongoing matters, but the powers and responsibilities of the CE remain unassigned,” sources said.
