Panaji: The Directorate of Public Grievances, Government of Goa, has forwarded a complaint alleging harassment of engineers and irregularities in the Water Resources Department (WRD) to the Chief Engineer, directing the department to take necessary action and submit an action taken report within 15 days.

The complaint was filed by social and RTI activist Sudip Narayan Tamankar before the Governor of Goa on April 13, 2026. The grievance was later received by the Directorate of Public Grievances through the Governor’s office and forwarded to the Chief Engineer, WRD, Panaji, on May 4, 2026.

In his complaint, Tamankar has sought a high-level independent inquiry into the alleged harassment and coercion faced by WRD officials, particularly in the wake of the reported suicide of a Junior Engineer posted at Valpoi. He has claimed that this is the second such incident within a short period of less than three years, pointing towards what he described as a serious systemic issue requiring urgent intervention at the highest level.

Tamankar has alleged that WRD officials are being subjected to undue pressure in matters such as certification and payment of unexecuted works, preparation of estimates allegedly tailored to contractors, splitting of works below ₹5 lakh to bypass government approval, and interference by Personal Assistants of Ministers and MLAs in official functioning.

The complaint further raises concerns over alleged forced hiring of vehicles, appointments of apprentices linked to external influence, selective administrative action, suppression of works, irregular denotification within TIP command areas, and questionable high-value proposals lacking transparency.

Through the petition, Tamankar has requested that an independent inquiry be ordered into the incident and associated allegations. He has also demanded that responsibility be fixed and strict disciplinary or criminal action be taken against those found guilty.

Among other demands, the complaint seeks immediate directions to restrain unauthorized interference by Personal Assistants in WRD functioning, establishment of a protective framework and grievance mechanism for WRD engineers, strengthening of audit, vigilance and tender transparency systems, mandatory e-tendering for works below ₹5 lakh, and a strict rule that no work should be executed before tendering.

The Directorate of Public Grievances has now asked the WRD Chief Engineer to resolve the matter and submit the action taken report to the petitioner, with intimation to the Directorate, within 15 days from receipt of the letter.

Tamankar has stated that the matter is extremely sensitive as it concerns not only administrative integrity but also the safety and morale of government engineers. He has urged prompt and decisive action to prevent recurrence of such tragic incidents.