JMC Commissioner Cracks Down on Street Light Negligence:Suspension of Three Employees Signals Stern Action Ahead
||Black and White Digital News ||
||Parvinder Singh September 27,2025||
Jammu : Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Dr. Devansh Yadav, has initiated strong disciplinary action by suspending three employees of the street light maintenance wing for negligence in duty. The officials have been attached to the Kot Bhalwal dumping site, a move seen as a clear warning to others in the department.
The decision came during a review meeting chaired by the Commissioner to assess the functioning of street lights across Jammu city. Dr. Yadav expressed serious concern over the large number of non-functional lights, which have been a persistent grievance of citizens. Street light failures not only inconvenience residents but also pose risks to public safety, especially in accident-prone and densely populated areas.
Accountability in Street Light Project:
The Commissioner directed officials of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and the Executive Engineer (Electric), JMC, to take immediate corrective steps. EESL, which is the implementing agency for LED street lights in Jammu, has faced criticism for its inability to deliver timely and effective maintenance. Sources indicate that the company is struggling with a shortage of ground staff and is allegedly failing to adhere to the terms and conditions laid down in its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with JMC.
Public Grievances Driving Action:
Dr.Yadav, who has earned a reputation for his professional working style and responsiveness to public grievances, was visibly annoyed at the pace of work. Residents have been raising repeated complaints about defunct street lights, with many areas reporting prolonged periods of darkness despite assurances from officials.
The Commissioner’s message was unambiguous—non-performance will not be tolerated, whether from municipal staff or private contractors. He also hinted at broader reforms and stricter monitoring mechanisms in critical civic services, including street lighting, drinking water supply, sanitation, and encroachment removal.
A Broader Clean-up in Civic Administration?
Observers see this action not as an isolated incident but as part of a larger push by JMC leadership to enforce accountability in municipal functioning. Suspension and attachment to the dumping site is considered a strong disciplinary measure, one that signals the seriousness of the administration in dealing with negligence.
If Dr. Yadav follows through on his warning of “big action” against underperformers, both within JMC and its contracted agencies, Jammu city may witness a significant shake-up in service delivery in the coming weeks.
For residents, the immediate expectation is visible improvement in street light functionality across the city. For JMC staff and EESL, the suspension of three employees serves as a wake-up call that lapses in public service will invite stringent consequences.
