Jammu, Oct 16: Allegations of procedural irregularities and restricted competition have surfaced in the tendering process for the construction of the PM Unity (Ekta) Mall at the Railhead Complex in Jammu, a project estimated to cost Rs 113.42 Cr.

The tender, floated by the Chief Engineer, Public Works Department (R&B), Jammu Zone, under e-NIT No. 16 of 2026-27 dated August 18, 2026, has come under scrutiny after aggrieved bidders questioned their disqualification during the technical evaluation stage.

According to the bidders, four local companies from Jammu and Kashmir participated in the tendering process, alongside three firms from outside the Union Territory, including companies from Chhattisgarh and Gurugram.

The complainants alleged that only one local bidder was declared technically qualified, while the remaining local participants were disqualified on grounds they described as unjustified and unrelated to the financial implications of the project.

They claimed that the department could have sought clarifications or supplementary documents to address minor deficiencies, wherever permissible under the applicable tender conditions, instead of disqualifying the bidders.

They also alleged that opportunities to submit non-essential documents, which they claimed were available in other tendering processes, were not extended in this case.

The aggrieved bidders said the disqualifications had narrowed competition and raised concerns about transparency and fairness in the award of a major public works contract. They called for the technical evaluation process to be examined to establish whether the prescribed tender conditions had been applied uniformly to all participants.

The dispute escalated after three aggrieved bidders reportedly approached the court through a writ petition. The opening of financial bids, scheduled for October 10, was stated to have been stayed by the court.

However, the complainants alleged that the financial bids were subsequently opened on October 15, despite the pending dispute. They claimed that the lowest bid was around three per cent below the estimated cost of the project.

According to the bidders, the disqualified participants had quoted rates more than 20 per cent below the estimated cost. They argued that their exclusion had prevented their financial offers from being considered, potentially affecting competition in the tendering process.

The complainants also questioned the department’s response to their objections, alleging that it did not adequately address their concerns and that the financial bids were opened without allowing them sufficient time to seek further legal recourse.

They further raised concerns regarding adherence to transparency and vigilance principles in public procurement, arguing that minor deficiencies in affidavits and other documents should, wherever permitted under applicable rules, be addressed through clarifications rather than outright disqualification.

Jammu, Oct 16: A flurry of activities, on Friday, followed an unpleasant brawl involving a senior IAS officer and a woman JKAS officer with General Administration Department circulating “caution of restraint” and JKAS fraternity – joining the cause with the colleague and condemning the act.

JKAS officers, across the UT, on Friday partially observed a pen-down strike also, in solidarity with their woman colleague.

Prior to it, J&K Department of Labour and Employment late Thursday night had issued a clarification also about the incident and shared a concern over, what it alleged, “the circulation of selectively edited video clips by certain social media handles, without the complete context of the proceedings.”

On Friday, the GAD Commissioner Secretary M Raju, through a circular, directed for observance of prescribed standards of conduct and professional decorum at all levels of administration.

“In terms of Rule 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971, read with the other service-specific provisions, all officers and officials are expected to maintain the highest standards of integrity, devotion to duty, discipline and conduct becoming of a public servant,” he instructed.

M Raju asserted that the “employees are further expected to maintain professionalism, courtesy and mutual respect in their interactions with seniors, colleagues, subordinate staff and the public.”

“In view of the foregoing, all employees are enjoined upon to ensure that official interactions are conducted with due courtesy, restraint, dignity and mutual respect,” he said.

He specified that it would be applicable equally to interactions between superior officers and their subordinates, between officers and officials of different ranks and between subordinate employees and their seniors.

“Seniority and supervisory authority shall be exercised with responsibility and fairness, while all officers and officials shall extend due regard to lawful directions, established procedures and the responsibilities attached to the offices. The use of derogatory, threatening or otherwise inappropriate language, as well as conduct inconsistent with the dignity of office, shall be avoided,” GAD Commissioner Secretary cautioned.

He asked all the Administrative Secretaries, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Heads of Departments and Managing Directors etc., to bring the instructions to the notice of employees under their administrative control and ensure their strict observance at all levels.

Earlier, JKAS officers condemned, what they alleged, “verbal abuse, personal insults and public humiliation of a senior female JKAS officer of the 2015 batch by Secretary, Labour and Employment Department, Rajeev Ranjan, during an official departmental review meeting held at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, on October 14, 2026, which many officers of the department, including BeenishWani, joined virtually despite her being on leave due to a fracture.”

Pointing out that the JKAS fraternity unequivocally upholds administrative accountability and performance monitoring, (JKAS) officers maintained that no supervisory authority could justify abusive language, intimidation or such misconduct undermining the dignity of a serving officer.

The JKAS fraternity, calling upon the Lieutenant Governor, the Chief Secretary and the General Administration Department to order an impartial inquiry into both the original incident and the subsequent departmental clarification, demanded that it should ensure no retaliatory action is taken against the affected officer.

They also called for effective safeguards against workplace intimidation and abuse of authority.

To register their protest, the JKAS officers had called for a pen-down strike on Friday. “It was partially observed as we did not want the work and public also to suffer,” they maintained.

In Jammu, several JKAS officers, during the day, had gathered at Bahu Plaza yet after GAD ordered inquiry, they did not pursue protest. In Kashmir also, JKAS officers registered their strong protest.

Meanwhile, the Department of Labour and Employment, Jammu and Kashmir in its official statement on October 15, issued a clarification regarding “selectively edited video clips circulating on social media, originating from a review meeting chaired by the Secretary, Labour and Employment Department, on October 14, 2026, from 3 pm to 6 pm.”

The Department clarified that the extensive review meeting focused on assessing departmental performance across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. It further stated that the complete recording of the meeting is available with the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

“During the deliberations, the Chair emphasised the high expectations associated with Mission YUVA and urged district officers to work with utmost dedication, responsibility and commitment. The officers were reminded of the importance of ensuring effective implementation of the mission and timely delivery of its benefits to eligible youth,” the clarification mentioned.

The Department reiterated that mutual respect, discipline and professional decorum are essential in official interactions, and that all officers and officials were expected to maintain due respect towards their seniors while discharging their official duties.

It also emphasised that “provocative remarks and inappropriate language have no place in professional administrative engagements, which must remain guided by mutual respect, restraint and institutional dignity.”

Expressing regret over the developments surrounding the meeting, the Department stated that the circulation of selectively edited video clips by certain social media handles, without the complete context of the proceedings, was a matter of concern.

It reiterated that the clips being circulated are unverified and that selective editing of internal administrative discussions may create a misleading impression of the actual proceedings.

The Department further stated that the matter would be taken to its logical conclusion in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.

The Department appealed to members of the media and the public to exercise caution and refrain from sharing or relying on unverified and sensationalised content circulating on social media. It reiterated its commitment to youth empowerment, effective implementation of Mission YUVA and improved public service delivery across Jammu and Kashmir.