Shimla, (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 11 (Diary Times): An investigation of this Theog scam with the water distribution system has revealed alarming details about widespread corruption and negligence in the water distribution system in The Shimla’s Theog Assembly Constituency. Although initial reports indicated that residents were drinking polluted water, further investigation has revealed a plethora of fraudulent practices. They include forging water bills as well as the altering the delivery records of tankers and illegal payments made to contractors. All of which have seriously impacted the integrity and quality in the supply of water to the area.
The investigation has exposed a shocking breach of trust. Contractors did not provide water that was clean from the Lelu Bridge, filled tankers with contaminated water from the drains. The contaminated water, which was deemed to be unsafe to drink, was handed out to Theog residents with no adequate inspections or supervision, putting the health of the people at danger.
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Manipulated Records and Fake Bills Exposed
The investigation has revealed the disturbing pattern of falsified data in the supply of water. Contractors were discovered to have altered the number of tanker trips they made with no confirmation of Jal Shakti Department officials. Spot checks were frequently ignored, allowing the irregularities to be ignored. Additionally, it was discovered the water bill was fake and that payments were given by contractors to cover services which were not actually rendered, further accelerating the corruption.
The junior engineers as well as the clerks accountable for billing were found to have drafted and approved the bills without confirming the source of the water from the specified Lelu Pul. In spite of the obligation to check the bills and approve them, they were signed by the assistant engineer them without performing any checks. The executive engineer exacerbated the problem by approving the invoices to pay which further perpetuated the pattern of incompetence. The lapses in procedure permitted contractors to receive payment for services which were never delivered, revealing the deep-seated inefficiencies within the department.
Vigilance Team Takes Stronger Action in Investigation
As the investigation continues to grow the vigilance group has been questioning 25 people such as tanker drivers, owners of the tanker contractors, officials, and tanker owners of The Jal Shakti Department. Along with gathering digital evidence and analyzing documents, the team also questioned employees in Lelu Pul pumping station. They have confirmed that the water supply was not taken from the specified source which adds more credibility to the accusations of fraudulent activities in the system of water distribution.
The former Theog MP Rakesh Singha, who is a frequent critic of the water supply problems, went to the vigilance department to demand an exhaustive and independent inquiry into the ongoing fraud. In the wake of locating information via RTI, Singha expressed his displeasure with the first mistakes in handling the issue. He called on authorities to quickly and swiftly take actions to stop all corruption in the theog and make sure that accountability is maintained.
The team of vigilance is investigating every aspect of the scam, which includes constant interrogations of contractors, engineers, as well as other key people involved. As the investigation develops further shocking revelations are expected. Authorities have stated that a formal investigation could be registered in 2 days and a full image of the fraud is expected to emerge by the end of the next week.
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