Jaipur: A major corruption scandal linked to the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and the Centre’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has widened in Rajasthan, with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) now investigating the role of 139 engineers in an alleged fraud worth ₹587 crore.
Massive Irregularities in Water Supply Projects
According to preliminary findings, the scam revolves around large-scale irregularities in the execution of rural drinking water projects under JJM. Officials and contractors allegedly colluded to manipulate tender processes, submit fake documents, and siphon off public funds meant for providing tap water connections.
Investigators have found that contracts were awarded based on forged experience certificates and falsified verification reports. In several cases, payments were released despite incomplete or substandard work, causing significant financial losses to the government.
Role of Engineers Under Scrutiny
The ACB probe has brought 139 engineers—from junior to senior levels—under investigation. These engineers are suspected of playing a key role in:
- Approving fake or manipulated project reports
- Ignoring discrepancies flagged during verification
- Facilitating payments without proper physical inspection
- Supporting contractors in securing tenders through illegal means
Earlier investigations in the same scam have already led to arrests of senior engineers, including chief engineers and additional chief engineers, highlighting the depth of alleged departmental involvement.
More Read
Modus Operandi: Fake Certificates and Tender Manipulation
The investigation has revealed a systematic pattern of corruption:
- Contractors allegedly used forged work completion certificates, sometimes impersonating officials of central agencies.
- Tender conditions were manipulated to favour select firms, including introducing irregular clauses that compromised transparency.
- Engineers submitted “favourable” verification reports to qualify ineligible bidders.
In some cases, firms reportedly secured contracts worth hundreds of crores using fake credentials, with officials allegedly facilitating the process.
Wider Scam Linked to Larger Financial Irregularities
While the current probe focuses on ₹587 crore, the broader Jal Jeevan Mission scam in Rajasthan is believed to be much larger. Earlier investigations have pointed to irregularities ranging from ₹900 crore to over ₹2,500 crore, involving multiple firms, officials, and political links.
More Read
Authorities have also flagged issues such as inflated project costs, use of substandard materials, and payments for work that was never executed.
Ongoing Crackdown and Expanding Investigation
The ACB has intensified its crackdown with raids, arrests, and scrutiny of financial records. Multiple FIRs have been registered, and central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have also joined the investigation into money laundering aspects.
The probe is expected to expand further, with more officials and contractors likely to be questioned in the coming days. Officials say the focus is now on identifying the full chain of accountability within the department.
Impact on Public Services
The ongoing investigation has already disrupted PHED operations, as several engineers have been arrested, suspended, or placed under inquiry. This has affected water supply management in parts of the state, raising concerns about service delivery during peak demand periods.
