Delhi LG orders FIR against DJB officers in '20 crore misappropriation case'

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena has ordered registration of FIR against Delhi Jal Board officials. According to sources, the bill amount of Rs 20 crore collected from consumers between 2012-2019 did not reach the account of Delhi Jal Board. The Lieutenant Governor has ordered the Chief Secretary to register an FIR.

An FIR has been ordered in connection with the alleged defrauding of Delhi Jal Board to the tune of Rs 20 crore in connivance with Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials and Corporation Bank (now Union Bank of India).

According to sources, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had ordered the CEO of Delhi Jal Board to investigate the officers and take strict action in this matter last week.

In the year 2012, the Delhi Jal Board had entrusted the Corporation Bank with the responsibility of bill and recovery from the consumers. Corporation Bank further gave this work to another private company, which is being said to be a direct breach of contract.

Sources associated with the Lt Governor's office said that for many years, the amount of water bill received from consumers instead of going to the bank accounts of Delhi Jal Board kept going to the accounts of a private bank. The Delhi Jal Board had contracted with the bank in the year 2012 for three years. After this the contract was extended in 2016, 2017 and in the year 2019. In the year 2019, information about this manipulation was also received, but despite that, the Delhi Jal Board continued the contract with the bank.