Rajasthan ex-minister Mahesh Joshi booked in Jal Jeevan Mission ‘scam’

The JJM’s financial advisor, chief engineer, additional chief engineer, superintendent engineer and executive engineer have been named in the FIR.

The alleged scam pertains to alleged financial irregularities and corruption in awarding contracts related to the scheme. The central government’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through household tap connections and is being implemented in Rajasthan by the PHED.

According to sources, the ACB got a lead from multiple email IDs in the case. According to the ACB, interrogation of executive engineer Mayalal Saini in Behror revealed corruption in JJM works. Apart from the PHED officials, the FIR has named Mahesh Mittal, proprietor of M/s Shri Ganapati Tubewell and Padmachand Jain, proprietor of Shri Shyam Tubewell Company, Shahpura, Jaipur.

Both the companies, in connivance with the PHED engineers of Jaipur Region I and II, had allegedly submitted fake experience certificates and income certificates and got tenders worth Rs 900 crore under the scheme.

The FIR states, “It has also become clear from the investigation that the officials of the PHED had prior knowledge about the said fake certificates. However, the PHED officials, ignoring the said facts, not only allotted the tenders to ineligible firms but also did not take action against these firms, and continued to provide illegal benefits by making continuous payments to them.”

When contacted, Mahesh Joshi described it as a “systematic targeting” done by the BJP government. “They can target me as much as they want. I haven’t done anything illegal and I am ready to fully cooperate with the authorities if I am called for interrogation. I have full faith in the justice system of the country,” Joshi said, adding “truth will prevail”.

In September 2023, the ACB had registered an FIR against Shyam Tubewell and Ganpati Tubewell on charges of obtaining tenders by submitting fake certificates. Rajasthan was ranked second in the country in terms of spending money under the JJM till June 2023.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also probing a money laundering case linked to the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the scheme in Rajasthan.