By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday warned that negligence affecting public health would not be tolerated as six senior and junior engineers of the Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan and Uttarakhand Peyjal Nigam were suspended over alleged lapses in ensuring safe drinking water supply in Jeolikot area of Nainital district.
“Playing with the health of the people cannot be tolerated at any cost. Public interest is paramount for our government, and action will be taken against any officer or employee who ignores the interests of the people,” Dhami said.
The suspensions were ordered on the basis of a report submitted by the Nainital district administration following complaints of contaminated drinking water supply in Jeolikot and alleged negligence in the discharge of official duties.
The suspended officials include the in-charge Superintending Engineer of Jal Sansthan, Haldwani; an Assistant Engineer and an Additional Assistant Engineer of Nainital Jal Sansthan; and an Executive Engineer, an in-charge Assistant Engineer and a Junior Engineer of Peyjal Nigam, Bhimtal.
Dhami said all department heads and senior officials had repeatedly been instructed to treat matters concerning public welfare with seriousness and ensure prompt action on complaints.
The Chief Minister said his government was committed to accountability and that officials found neglecting the interests of people would face action.
The latest action came a day after the state government took action in the case of alleged admissions secured on the basis of forged certificates during NEET UG 2026 state-centralised counselling. Following the Chief Minister’s directions, certificates of eight candidates were cancelled and their admission processes revoked, according to the government.
The government said the action against the engineers was part of its stated policy of ensuring accountability in matters directly affecting public health and welfare.