A senior engineer from Madhya Pradesh’s Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has been suspended after a video of his controversial remarks about IAS officers went viral on social media.
Executive Engineer in Trouble Over Viral Remarks
Hemant Kashyap, Executive Engineer with the PHE department, has been suspended with immediate effect after he was seen in a video making derogatory comments about IAS officers and the District Panchayat CEO. The video, in which Kashyap questioned the stature and relevance of the Indian Administrative Service, prompted swift disciplinary action.
“What’s So Great About Being an IAS?”
In the video, Kashyap is heard saying: “What’s so great about becoming an IAS? What is the worth of an IAS? I have 20 doctors in my family, and my son Gopal Kashyap is a singer—his posters are up in Bhopal.” His statements and tone drew criticism for being disrespectful toward senior officials.
Immediate Action by Authorities
Following the video’s circulation, Sagar Divisional Commissioner Virendra Singh Rawat suspended Kashyap and attached him to the office of the Collector, pending further inquiry. This action followed a report by Sagar Collector Sandeep GR, who cited ongoing departmental negligence and failure to act on delayed water supply projects.
Negligence in Water Supply Project
The controversy is linked to a review held on June 17, where officials found that 2,742 Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) projects under the PHE Department had been severely delayed. These delays resulted in significant water shortages across several villages during peak summer.
Despite repeated warnings and follow-ups, officials noted that satisfactory progress was not achieved. The viral video, in which Kashyap appeared to dismiss the credibility of senior bureaucrats while boasting about his own family background, added to the seriousness of the matter.
Kashyap’s Denial
After his suspension, Kashyap claimed he had not used abusive or inappropriate language, stating, “I have not spoken disrespectfully to any senior officer or public representative.” However, the audio footage, reviewed by senior officials, has been deemed in violation of conduct expected from someone in a senior government role.
Government Reinforces Accountability
The incident is being seen as a strong message from the administration on upholding decorum and ensuring that public servants adhere to professional standards, both in conduct and project execution.
