JAIPUR: A major scandal has rocked the Rajasthan Energy Department as an investigation by Expose Now reveals a sophisticated attempt by a private firm to secure a massive government contract through alleged document forgery. At the center of the storm is M/s ARG Electrical Private Limited, which is accused of manipulating financial records to bag a ₹189 crore tender under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
The Forgery Uncovered
The controversy pertains to a high-value tender for the Bhiwadi Circle. According to the eligibility criteria set by the Jaipur Discom, any bidding firm was required to have a minimum annual turnover of ₹56.76 crore.
The investigation reveals that ARG Electrical’s actual turnover was only ₹55.69 crore—falling short of the requirement. To bridge this gap and deceive the department, the firm allegedly submitted a Chartered Accountant (CA) certificate where the turnover column was suspiciously left blank or manipulated.
The fraud came to light when vigilant Discom officials cross-verified the submission using the UDIN (Unique Document Identification Number) portal, a tool used to verify the authenticity of certificates issued by CAs.
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The “Relief” Controversy
Following the discovery, the Jaipur Discom took decisive action by debarring the firm for one year and seizing its bank guarantee of approximately ₹3.78 crore.
However, the case took a dramatic turn when Devendra Shringi, CMD of RVUNL (Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited), acting as the first appellate authority, reportedly provided relief to the firm. He ordered the release of the seized bank guarantee and suggested a “review” of the turnover. This move raised eyebrows within the department, prompting the Discom to challenge the decision before the Energy Department.
The “Conflict of Interest” Challenge for IAS Aarti Dogra
The fate of the investigation now rests in the hands of Aarti Dogra (IAS), the current Energy Secretary of Rajasthan.
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In a unique administrative twist, the original action against ARG Electrical (the debarment) was taken while Aarti Dogra was serving as the CMD of Jaipur Discom. Following a recent administrative reshuffle, she has been promoted to Energy Secretary.
Now, sitting as the higher authority, she must preside over the Discom’s appeal against the relief granted to the firm. This has led to questions regarding a potential “conflict of interest,” as she is effectively being asked to review an administrative battle stemming from her own previous orders.
High Stakes for the Energy Department
The Expose Now investigation raises critical questions:
- Will the Energy Secretary uphold the strict action originally initiated during her tenure as CMD?
- Will an “invisible hand” protect the firm despite the documented evidence of forgery?
- Should the case be referred to a high-level independent committee to ensure total transparency?
