Agartala, 17th October 2026 : Subir Das will continue as the Executive Engineer of the Bishalgarh Division of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department following a stay on his transfer order by the High Court, he said. The controversy has drawn attention amid concerns over the payment of pending bills to contractors.
According to allegations, a section of departmental officials attempted to remove Subir Das from the post and appoint Gautam Ghosh in his place. Following the transfer order, more than 150 contractors staged protests for three consecutive days, fearing further delays in the settlement of their outstanding bills.
It is reported that approximately ₹370 crore remains outstanding under the Jal Jeevan Mission in Sepahijala district. Contractors alleged that funds had not been released for nearly two years. After funds reportedly arrived recently, allegations emerged that certain officials were attempting to clear the bills of agencies from outside the state while delaying payments to local contractors. There were also allegations of commission-related irregularities, though these claims have not been independently verified.
Subir Das had reportedly supported the payment of outstanding dues to local contractors, which allegedly led to opposition against him. Meanwhile, Gautam Ghosh, the SDO of Kathalia, was reportedly appointed to the Executive Engineer’s position.
Subir Das did not attend the office on Friday due to illness. He reportedly received treatment at IGM Hospital and was resting at home when he learned that the nameplate outside the Executive Engineer’s office had been vandalised and removed.
He rushed to the office that night and informed journalists that the incident would be investigated and appropriate action taken. He also stated that the High Court had stayed his transfer order and that he would remain in the post until the pending departmental work was completed.
Questioning the appointment of Gautam Ghosh in his absence, Subir Das described the move as illegal. He said that when an officer is transferred, the formal handover of responsibilities must be completed with the signatures of both officials. According to him, this procedure had not been followed.
He welcomed the High Court’s decision, stating that it would help accelerate development work in the district. He also noted that Sepahijala district had received recognition for the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Subir Das maintained that the pending bills of contractors should not be delayed any further and assured that steps would be taken to expedite their payment.
