Jaipur/Banswara: A major controversy has surfaced in Rajasthan’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects after serious allegations of fake payments and irregularities emerged in solar panel installation works in Banswara district. Documents accessed by Expose Now indicate that payments worth crores of rupees were allegedly released in violation of norms, raising fresh questions over the functioning of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and the implementation of JJM schemes in tribal regions of Rajasthan.
According to the investigation, the alleged scam is linked to rate contract tenders and solar panel installation works executed under water supply projects. The report claims that fake billing, irregular verification processes, and possible collusion between contractors and departmental officials enabled questionable payments running into several crores.
The controversy comes at a time when Rajasthan’s Jal Jeevan Mission is already under scrutiny from investigative agencies over multiple corruption allegations involving tenders, forged certificates, and irregular contractor payments. Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigations in previous JJM-linked cases have intensified political and administrative pressure on the department.
Allegations of Inflated and Fake Solar Work Bills
The Expose Now investigation alleges that contractors involved in the Banswara projects received payments despite serious discrepancies in work execution and material verification. Sources associated with the investigation claim that several bills related to solar-powered infrastructure and water supply components were processed without proper physical inspection at the ground level.
The report further alleges that the contractor benefited from departmental negligence and internal coordination among officials responsible for technical approvals and financial clearances. Questions are also being raised about whether the installed infrastructure matched the quantities and specifications mentioned in official records.
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Officials associated with the execution process are expected to face scrutiny if an official inquiry is initiated.
Pattern Similar to Earlier JJM Irregularities
The allegations in Banswara resemble earlier JJM-related scams reported in Rajasthan where payments were allegedly released without proper supply verification. In one such case, ACB registered an FIR against PHED engineers and a contractor over payments exceeding ₹3.48 crore for pipe supplies that allegedly never reached the project site at the time of billing.
Investigative agencies probing Rajasthan’s wider JJM scam have previously uncovered allegations involving forged documents, manipulated tender processes, fake experience certificates, and hurried approvals of massive contractor payments.
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Slow Project Execution Raises Further Questions
Apart from financial irregularities, Banswara district has already witnessed criticism over slow implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission works. Earlier review meetings had highlighted delays in execution and poor project progress in multiple rural water supply schemes.
Experts believe that if allegations of fake billing and irregular solar payments are proven, they could directly impact the quality and sustainability of drinking water infrastructure intended for remote tribal villages.
Demand for High-Level Investigation
Following the revelations, demands are growing for an independent technical and financial audit of all solar-related works under Jal Jeevan Mission projects in Banswara and adjoining districts. Activists and local stakeholders are seeking strict action against officials and contractors found guilty of misusing public funds meant for rural drinking water infrastructure.
The alleged scam has once again intensified debate over transparency and accountability in Rajasthan’s ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission projects, which were launched to provide safe drinking water connections to every rural household.