Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved a comprehensive cadre review and reorganisation of the Jal Shakti Department aimed at strengthening the department’s technical, administrative and field-level capacity for effective management of drinking water supply, irrigation and flood control infrastructure across the Union Territory.
The proposal was approved by the Council of Ministers through Cabinet Decision No. 067/07/2026 dated May 8, 2026, following concurrence from the Finance Department. The restructuring has been formulated on principles of administrative efficiency, scientific manpower management and institutional strengthening while remaining fully finance neutral.
The department, comprising the Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) wings, is currently executing large-scale infrastructure projects including water supply schemes, filtration plants, pumping stations, canals, dams and flood protection works across Jammu and Kashmir.
A key component of the restructuring is the creation of the post of Secretary (Technical), Jal Shakti Department, aimed at strengthening technical decision-making and ensuring timely scrutiny and clearance of hydraulic projects within the department itself.
The government has also approved creation of a separate Design Inspection and Quality Control (DIQC) mechanism for hydraulic works to focus on design vetting, quality assurance, material testing and technical supervision of projects.
As part of the reorganisation, two posts of Superintending Engineers have been created through bifurcation of Hydraulic Circle Jammu Rural into Hydraulic Circle-I and II, besides establishment of new divisions at Gandoh, Gurez, Tangdhar and Mendhar.
The government said these new formations would improve monitoring of works, emergency response during floods and breakdowns, reduce administrative delays and strengthen service delivery in remote and border areas.
The restructuring also includes reorganisation of Mechanical Sub-Divisions to improve maintenance and repair systems for water supply and flood management infrastructure.
To strengthen water quality monitoring, the government has approved establishment of two dedicated Water Quality Monitoring Divisions at Jammu and Srinagar under the proposed DIQC setup. The move aligns with the focus of Narendra Modi on safe drinking water under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The new divisions will supervise water testing laboratories across the Union Territory and help ensure compliance with prescribed drinking water quality standards.
The cadre review also addresses long-pending manpower management issues through encadrement of posts, rationalisation of deputation reserves and reassignment of posts within the existing cadre structure.
Officials said the restructuring involves creation of 43 posts against reduction of 62 existing posts, ensuring that the entire exercise remains finance neutral without imposing any additional burden on the public exchequer.
The government said the reorganisation is expected to significantly strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of the Jal Shakti Department and improve delivery of water-related services across Jammu and Kashmir.
