WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has ordered a preliminary inquiry into a series of complaints alleging corruption, tender manipulation, procedural irregularities and misuse of official position against Talat Mehmood, Executive Engineer, Mechanical Wing of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC).
The Housing and Urban Development Department issued Government Order No. 173-JK(HUD) of 2026 constituting a three-member Preliminary Enquiry Committee to examine the allegations.
The committee will be headed by Shagun Sharma, Special Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, with Chand Singh, JKAS, Secretary, Jammu Municipal Corporation, and Mohd Naseem, Under Secretary to the Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, as members.
According to the order, the inquiry follows complaints received against Mehmood alleging “irregularities/corruption nexus” and manipulation of tender conditions, among other issues. The government has directed the committee to examine complaints relating to the hiring of dumper placers, purchase of a pothole machine and lubricants, and engagement of NGOs by the JMC.
The committee has been tasked with examining the tender documents, allotment and work orders and all connected records issued by the Mechanical Division of the JMC. It will also determine whether any deviations from approved tender conditions took place and, if so, establish the reasons behind them.
The panel will further examine whether any procedural irregularity, manipulation or undue favour was extended to contractors and identify responsibility, if established, before submitting its recommendations.
The government has given the committee 15 days from the date of issuance of the order to submit its preliminary inquiry report to the Housing and Urban Development Department. It has also been authorised to co-opt a technical member if required for examination of tender-related matters.
The annexure attached to the government order lists five complaints.
One complaint alleges corruption and illegal manipulation in the purchase of lubricants through GeM Bid No. GEM/2026/B/7489344.
Another alleges irregularities in the hiring of dumper placers for lifting garbage. The complaint questions changes in the tender/allotment conditions, including references to the number of trips and vehicle specifications, and alleges that the changes resulted in undue benefit to a contractor.
A third complaint concerns the procurement of a pothole machine and alleges excess payments and a nexus between engineers and contractors.
The fourth alleges misuse of official position by Mehmood and the alleged engagement of relatives or associates through NGOs.
The fifth complaint alleges payments to a contractor despite concerns over the quality of lubricants supplied, claiming loss to the government exchequer and possible damage to JMC vehicles.
Documents raise questions over lubricant supply
The file also contains correspondence and supporting documents concerning the lubricant procurement. One internal note refers to GeM Contract Order No. 511687786710595 and raises questions over the delivery schedule, quality of the products supplied and verification of bills and stock entries. It specifically asks whether the supplied lubricants conformed to the required make, specifications and standards and refers to reports of poor-quality lubricants allegedly causing unexpected breakdowns and damage to JMC vehicles.
The documents further show that an Assistant Executive Engineer questioned whether the relevant bills and stock entries had been properly verified before payment and sought supporting material, including geo-tagged photographs and approval for extension of the delivery schedule.
Screenshots of an internal JMC Mechanical Wing conversation included in the file also show officials discussing concerns over lubricant quality and whether the material received had been inspected before being put to use.
The government file includes a JMC allotment order for hiring three medium-sized dumper placers for carrying garbage bins. The document shows an advertised cost of about Rs 60.48 lakh and an allotted cost of Rs 52.53 lakh, with a contract period of two years and a rate of Rs 2,399 per month per vehicle. The tender documents specify vehicles not older than 2024 and prescribe requirements including a highly skilled driver, P.O.L., GPS, repair and maintenance and eight hours of operation a day.
The allegations annexed to the government order question whether the tender and subsequent allotment adhered to the original conditions, making the contract one of the issues the inquiry committee has been specifically asked to examine.
The government order does not establish the allegations as proven. Instead, it directs the newly constituted committee to examine the complaints, verify records, assess compliance with approved tender conditions and determine whether any procedural violations or undue favour occurred.
The committee has also been directed to obtain all relevant records from the Jammu Municipal Corporation and other concerned offices wherever required, with the Commissioner, JMC asked to extend full cooperation and provide the documents and logistical assistance necessary for completion of the inquiry within the stipulated period.
