Mohd Irfan
In a decision raising serious concerns about administrative integrity and governance practices, the Executive Engineer, Rural Engineering Wing (REW), Samba, has overstepped his authority by ordering the transfer and posting of Technical Assistants (TAs).
Among these controversial decisions, Digvijay Singh, a TA engaged under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Block Samba, has been given the additional charge of Draftsman for Subdivision Samba.
This move has sparked outrage as it violates established norms, with critics accusing the REW of undermining accountability mechanisms. Under the rules, the transfer and posting of TAs—a position equivalent to Junior Engineer—falls exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Director of Rural Development Department (RDD), not the Executive Engineer of REW.
The decision to assign dual roles to Digvijay Singh has dismantled the system of checks and balances. As a TA, Singh is responsible for producing bills for works executed under his jurisdiction. Now, with his added role as Draftsman, he is also tasked with processing and clearing those same bills. This overlap of responsibilities opens the door to potential misuse of authority and corruption.
“This is a blatant conflict of interest. Allowing the same person to generate and clear bills completely negates accountability and transparency,” said a senior official on the condition of anonymity.
Sources within the REW department reveal that MGNREGA staff are mandated to work exclusively on schemes and projects under the MGNREGA framework. However, in this instance, the TA’s services are being diverted to CAPEX-funded projects, such as bunker construction. CAPEX projects are funded by the state government and fall outside the scope of MGNREGA. This diversion not only violates the scheme’s objectives but also deprives rural development initiatives of crucial resources.
The move has drawn flak from various quarters, with critics accusing the REW of flouting administrative protocols. “Such decisions erode public trust in governance. Assigning dual roles that undermine accountability systems sets a dangerous precedent,” said a local activist. Moreover, the lack of transparency in the decision-making process has fueled further skepticism. “When MGNREGA staff are used for non-MGNREGA projects, it defeats the core purpose of the scheme, which is to empower rural communities,” noted a governance expert.
Civil society groups and opposition leaders have demanded an investigation into the matter. They have also called for the immediate reversal of such orders to restore transparency and fairness in public works. The Executive Engineer, REW Samba, has yet to provide an explanation for his actions. However, administrative experts warn that such practices, if left unchecked, could undermine governance across the state. “Checks and balances are essential to ensure fairness. Without them, the risk of corruption and malpractice grows exponentially,” said a retired senior official.
