Rajasthan Government Identifies 206 Officials in Jal Jeevan Mission Corruption Cases
In a significant development, the Rajasthan government has identified 206 officials involved in corruption-related cases under the Jal Jeevan Mission. This announcement was made by PHED minister Kanhaiya Lal Choudhary during a session in the Assembly on Friday, leading to immediate protests from the Opposition after he confirmed action against a senior IAS officer.
Details of the Corruption Cases and Actions Taken
Minister Choudhary provided a detailed breakdown of the actions taken against the implicated officials. According to his statement, the personnel department has issued charge sheets under Rule 16 of the CCA Rules to 68 officers, while 23 officials have been suspended. Additionally, sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been granted to proceed against 18 officials.
So far, 12 arrests have been made in connection with these cases. Those arrested include one former minister, three engineers, contractors, and members of their staff, highlighting the widespread nature of the alleged corruption. Action has also been initiated against 53 contractors and two third-party inspection agencies involved in the irregularities.
Financial Recovery and Ongoing Investigations
The department has successfully recovered Rs 5.34 crore from the implicated parties, with recovery of another Rs 3.77 crore currently underway. This financial aspect underscores the scale of the corruption and the government's efforts to reclaim misappropriated funds.
Controversy Over Senior IAS Officer
Tension escalated in the Assembly when Minister Choudhary confirmed that a case has been registered against a senior IAS officer. "We registered a case with the Anti-Corruption Bureau against the concerned IAS officer, who was the then Additional Chief Secretary. Whoever is found guilty will face action," he stated, without disclosing the officer's name.
This statement triggered strong protests from Opposition members. State Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully demanded transparency, urging the government to reveal the officer's identity. "Name the IAS officer. Don't make vague statements. Tell the House who is responsible," they argued, alleging that the government was withholding crucial details.
Assembly Speaker's Intervention and Political Implications
Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani intervened to clarify procedural norms, explaining that names are typically not disclosed on the floor of the House during such proceedings. This exchange caused a brief disruption in the Assembly, reflecting the politically sensitive nature of the investigation into alleged irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The ongoing probe continues to draw significant attention, with the government emphasizing its commitment to accountability and the Opposition pushing for greater transparency in the handling of corruption cases.
