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Theog Water Supply Scam: Investigation Unveils Serious Negligence and Irregularities
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 10 (Diary Times): An investigation into the water supply tender in Theog, Shimla district, has revealed alarming irregularities, suggesting potential misuse of public funds. The report, compiled by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Shimla, sheds light on the lack of transparency in the tender allocation process and the failure to maintain proper documentation for the distribution of water, raising serious concerns about accountability and governance.
The investigation uncovered a troubling lack of receipts to confirm that water was delivered to the affected panchayats via tankers. Furthermore, there were no signatures from Gram Panchayat Pradhans or Deputy Pradhans to validate the supply. Despite these glaring discrepancies, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Theog authorized payments exceeding ₹1 crore, relying solely on unverified bills submitted by the Jal Shakti Department.
Additional irregularities surfaced, with claims suggesting that water was supplied to Nagodhar and Karyali villages—villages that aren’t even accessible by road. Operators claimed to have delivered water to tanks situated outside these villages, but no evidence substantiates their statements. The report explicitly highlights the negligence of Jal Shakti Department officials, raising significant concerns about their involvement in the alleged scam and their failure to ensure proper oversight.
Vigilance Bureau Widens Investigation into Water Supply Scam
Thirteen employees of the Jal Shakti Department, including a suspended engineer, are now under investigation. On Thursday, a team from the Vigilance Bureau, headed by Additional Superintendent of Police Narveer Singh Rathore, interrogated these employees and documented their statements. Additionally, tanker and pickup drivers were summoned to the site along with their vehicles, where the numbers, registration details, and loading capacities of nine tankers and five pickups were thoroughly examined.
The following tanker numbers were meticulously checked during the investigation: HP 63 A 7600, HP 63 C 3352, HP 63 4853, HP 63 C 4777, HP 63 A 0116, HP 62 A 2777, HP 63 A 0877, HP 63 3898, and HP 63 E 2877.
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On Wednesday, the Vigilance team recorded statements from approximately 40 individuals as part of their ongoing investigation. They also visited key locations, including Kyar Khad near Chhaila and the Giri River at Lelu Bridge, to collect additional evidence. On Friday, 13 employees and contractors from the Jal Shakti Department were called in for further questioning at the Vigilance office.
Gathering Evidence and Uncovering Allegations
The Vigilance Bureau is probing serious allegations that payments were made for water supply in areas where no actual delivery occurred. In some instances, the tanker numbers provided are claimed to correspond to motorcycles and cars instead. The investigation team is currently examining CCTV footage from Sainj market and nearby hotels, while also securing all relevant records to further substantiate these claims.
The pump house at Lelu Bridge was thoroughly inspected as part of the investigation, and statements were taken from departmental employees. The water supply through tankers was contracted during the drought period from February to June last year. To date, 10 officers from the Jal Shakti Department have been suspended, including two executives, three assistants, four junior staff members, and one retired junior engineer, with one of the suspended officers having since passed away.
The findings have sparked growing demands for swift and decisive action against those implicated in the alleged scam. The state government is facing mounting pressure to respond to the investigation report and uphold accountability in public projects. As the Vigilance Bureau deepens its probe, residents are closely monitoring the unfolding developments, hoping for transparency and justice.
