Darhal Contractors’ Protest Backs Thanna Mandi XEN; Pir Panjal Contractors Call It “Division of Community” Amid Corruption Allegations

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

FROM EDITOR DESK 

RAJOURI, AUGUST 16:– The ongoing controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in the PWD (R&B) Division Thanna Mandi has taken a new political and contractors’ association turn, with a Darhal-based contractors’ association staging a protest in support of  Executive Engineer Er. Madan Gopal, even as the Pir Panjal Contractors Association has strongly opposed the move.

The development comes days after the Public Works (R&B) Department issued a show-cause notice to Er. Madan Gopal following a viral social media video alleging corruption, administrative lapses, lack of supervision and poor work culture in the division.

According to the department’s notice dated August 11, 2026, the contents of the video purportedly indicated “serious monitoring and administrative lapses” and alleged failure to maintain proper supervision and control over the functioning of the division. The department has sought a written explanation from the officer and directed him to furnish the status of projects under execution, along with their commencement and completion timelines.

The allegations, however, remain subject to departmental proceedings and the explanation of the concerned officer.

Against this backdrop, the Darhal contractors’ association, described by its opponents as being backed by BJP supporters, held a protest in favour of the Executive Engineer. The move has triggered a sharp reaction from the Pir Panjal Contractors Association, which accused the protesting group of attempting to defend alleged irregularities instead of demanding an impartial inquiry.

The Pir Panjal Contractors Association questioned the political contradiction, stating that the BJP has consistently projected itself as a party committed to fighting corruption and ensuring accountability in public institutions.

The Association alleged that several members of the Darhal contractors’ group are affiliated with the BJP and questioned why, at a time when allegations concerning the functioning of a government engineering division are under official scrutiny, contractors should be mobilised in support of an officer facing a departmental show-cause notice.

“This is not the time to divide contractors or defend allegations of corruption. This is the time to unite against corruption and demand transparency, accountability and a fair inquiry,” said Shafqat Wani, President of the Pir Panjal Contractors Association.

Wani strongly condemned what he termed an attempt to divide the contractors’ community on political lines, saying that contractors should not become victims of “cheap politics” or be used to protect individual interests.

He said the contractors’ association has never opposed any officer personally and that its demand is for a transparent, impartial and rule-based system in which allegations are investigated fairly. If the allegations are found baseless, he said, an inquiry would clear the officer’s name; if irregularities are established, action should follow strictly under law.

“We appeal to the entire contractors’ community to remain united against corruption. Contractors should not be divided in the name of political affiliations or personal interests. Those attempting to divide the community for their own benefit should be exposed,” Wani said.
The Pir Panjal Contractors Association maintained that transparency and accountability are essential for timely execution of developmental works and for restoring public confidence in government institutions.

The controversy has now placed the spotlight not only on the functioning of the PWD (R&B) Division Thanna Mandi but also on the growing divisions within the contractors’ community. With allegations under departmental scrutiny and competing protests emerging on the ground, all eyes are now on the authorities and the outcome of the official proceedings.

The Association reiterated its appeal to the government to ensure an impartial inquiry, transparency in departmental functioning and strict action wherever wrongdoing is established, while protecting the interests of genuine contractors and the public.