Dehradun. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken decisive action against six engineers after residents of Jyolikot in Nainital district reported that their drinking water was contaminated. The move follows a detailed report from the district administration, which cited gross negligence on the part of staff from the Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan and the Drinking Water Corporation.

Suspensions and Warnings Issued

The investigation identified six individuals – the Superintending Engineer (in‑charge) of Jal Sansthan, Haldwani, an Assistant Engineer and an Additional Assistant Engineer attached to Nainital Jal Sansthan, as well as the Executive Engineer, an Assistant Engineer (in‑charge) and a Junior Engineer of the Drinking Water Corporation, Bhimtal – who have been suspended with immediate effect.

Additionally, the Executive Engineer of Nainital Jal Sansthan received a formal warning, with the administration signaling that any further dereliction of duty will attract harsher penalties.

Chief Minister’s Stance on Public Health

CM Dhami emphasized that safeguarding public health is non‑negotiable for the state government. He instructed department heads and senior officials to approach public‑service issues with heightened responsibility, urging swift remedial action whenever complaints about essential services surface.

“Public health cannot be compromised 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,” the chief minister said.

Parallel Actions on Other Fronts

The water‑safety crackdown comes just a day after the chief minister ordered measures in the NEET UG 2026 state‑centralised counselling controversy, where eight candidates had their admission certificates cancelled for using forged documents.

What This Means for the Administration

  • Six engineers suspended for alleged negligence.
  • One executive engineer warned; further action pending.
  • Department heads urged to prioritize public health and respond promptly to service‑related grievances.

The government’s message is clear: any official who disregards the welfare of citizens will face strict disciplinary measures.