A major scam has been revealed in the Water Supply Department of Rajasthan, in which a sensational case of raising a bill of about two and a half crores has come to light without doing any work with the connivance of officers and contractors. This forgery has been done in the name of hand pump improvement and excavation of tube wells. Investigation revealed that not a single hand pump was found in a good condition.
Loot of crores in the name of fake repair
According to the information, the department had given the contract to repair hand pumps in various areas and to increase the depth of tube wells to some private companies. According to the work order, more than 300 hand pumps were to be repaired and in many places the work of excavation or depth of tube wells was to be done. But when investigation was done on the spot, not only the hand pumps were found to be the same, but the places where the excavation of tube wells was shown, the land was not carved.
Investigation open poll
When the inquiry committee constituted by the state government visited the respective areas and matched the records, the scam came to light. The committee’s report said that the officials and contractors together showed fake work in the documents and got payment of about Rs 2.5 crore from the department.
Digestion in documents and payment of bills
According to the investigation report, not only fake repair work was shown but the tube wells were also rigged. The tube wells whose depth was recorded at 100 feet, did not actually exceed 60 feet. Despite this, the payment was made according to the excavation of 100 feet.
Stir in administration, preparation for action
As soon as the matter was exposed, there has been a stir in the department. The process of fixing the accountability of the officers at a high level has started. According to sources, it has been recommended to suspend some officers and register an FIR. High officials of the Department of Water Supply say that strict action will be taken against the culprits by conducting a fair investigation into the entire episode.
