Vijender Gupta Writes to CVC, Demands Action on Scams in Delhi Jal Board
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi of breaking all records of corruption. He alleged that the Delhi government has reached a new low by not even deeming it necessary to respond to letters from investigative agencies. Gupta stated that the government has failed to reply to a letter from the Vigilance Commissioner regarding financial irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board, which he had reported to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). This, he said, clearly indicates that a significant corruption scandal has occurred in the Delhi Jal Board, and the government is determined to suppress and hide it from the public.
Referring to financial discrepancies in the Delhi Jal Board, Gupta said he had written to the CVC on September 5, 2024, demanding an investigation into the irregularities and corruption within the board. Acting on this, Delhi’s Chief Vigilance Officer had directed the CEO of the Delhi Jal Board on October 14, 2024, to investigate the matter and submit a report. However, the Delhi Jal Board took no action. Subsequently, a reminder letter was sent on November 6, 2024, instructing the board to expedite the investigation and provide a report. When Gupta sought a status update from the Chief Vigilance Officer, he was informed that no response had yet been received from the board. Another reminder letter is now being sent to the CEO of the Delhi Jal Board.
Expressing surprise, Gupta criticized the government for not taking the matter seriously, even after nearly two months. He alleged that the government is maintaining silence on the vigilance investigation orders to cover up its corruption. He further claimed that the government appears unafraid of investigative agencies or the public exposure of its misdeeds.
In his complaint to the CVC, Gupta accused the Delhi government of intentionally avoiding the preparation of Delhi Jal Board’s balance sheet after 2018 to prevent any indication of corruption within the board. He added that although the government prepared balance sheets for three years following a High Court intervention, it left the balance sheets for 2021-22 and 2022-23 pending.
Gupta also revealed that Delhi’s Chief Secretary had submitted a report to the state’s water minister on March 15, 2024, detailing the Delhi Jal Board’s debt of ₹73,000 crore. The report outlined numerous causes and instances of financial irregularities. However, Gupta claimed, the minister hid the report in his office cabinet and did not present it in the Assembly, knowing that once tabled, copies would have to be shared with opposition members, exposing the financial irregularities.
