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MP dept orders probe against own minister over Jal Jeevan funds

The letter was sent to the Chief Engineer of PHE Department for all regions of the state and the Project Director of the MP Water Corporation Limited, Bhopal. They have been instructed to submit detailed reports within seven days.

The Madhya Pradesh Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has ordered an investigation against its own minister, Sampatiya Uikey, over allegations of corruption linked to Central funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

In a communication dated June 21, Engineer-in-Chief (ENC) Sanjay Andhavan directed a probe into claims regarding “expenditure of Rs 30,000 crore given by the Government of India to Madhya Pradesh under Jal Jeevan Mission and investigation of properties of the Departmental Minister in Public Health Engineering Department and Executive Engineer-Mandla who collected money” for the minister.

The letter was sent to the Chief Engineer of PHE Department for all regions of the state and the Project Director of the MP Water Corporation Limited, Bhopal. They have been instructed to submit detailed reports within seven days.

Uikey did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment.

The investigation stems from an April 12 complaint filed by Kishore Samrite, a former MLA from Lanji and the national president of Sanyukt Kranti Party, who alleged that “ministers, officers and contractors” “misused” the Central funds meant for providing tap water connections to rural households in the BJP-ruled state.

Samrite’s complaint, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was referenced by the Under Secretary of the MP Government in a letter to the state PHE Department on May 30, ENC Andhavan’s communication stated.

In his complaint, Samrite alleged that “30 crore rupees given by the Government of India under Jal Jeevan Mission in the Public Health Engineering Department have been misused by ministers, officers and contractors.” The complaint alleged that Uikey took “commission in this scheme” and a large amount was taken through a Mandla-based Executive Engineer.

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Samrite’s complaint also alleged widespread corruption involving multiple officials and contractors across the state’s water supply infrastructure projects. “In this scheme, 3,000 completely fake work completion and utility certificates have been sent to the Government of India which should be immediately seized…,” his complaint read.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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