Six engineers suspended over contaminated water supply in Uttarakhand's Nainital, two dead

Six engineers were suspended with immediate effect on Monday for alleged negligence that led to the supply of contaminated drinking water in the Jyolikot area of Uttarakhand's Nainital district, resulting in two deaths, officials said.

The action followed several cases of jaundice and other waterborne diseases recently reported in the Jyolikot area, traced to the contaminated water supply. According to officials, the Nainital district administration initiated an inquiry on the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, which found that the six engineers had failed to discharge their duties.

"Compromising public health cannot be tolerated at any cost. Public interest is paramount for our government, and action will be taken against any official or employee who disregards the public's interests," Dhami said.

Among those suspended are the officiating superintending engineer of Jal Sansthan (Haldwani), the assistant engineer and additional assistant engineer of Jal Sansthan (Nainital), and the executive engineer, officiating assistant engineer and junior engineer of Peyjal Nigam (Bhimtal). A warning has also been issued to the executive engineer of Jal Sansthan (Nainital), officials said.