'Corruption Can't Be Tolerated': Kejriwal Orders CAG Audit Of Delhi Jal Board

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal flagged an ongoing water crisis in Delhi due to stoppage of the release of funds for the Jal Board.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal during the inauguration of a construction and demolition waste recycling plant

Source : PTI

Amid a protracted war of words between the ruling AAP and BJP over financial irregularities in the Delhi Jal Board, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday ordered an audit of the DJB's records by the Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG). As per a statement from the CMO, the DJB's records of the last 15 years will be audited, ANI reported.

The Delhi Jal Board, constituted in 1998, oversees the production and distribution of drinking water and is responsible for disposal of sewage in the national capital.

Speaking to reporters, Kejriwal said the audit would make everything "crystal clear" even as he flagged an ongoing water crisis in Delhi due to stoppage of the release of funds for the Jal Board.

"Opposition is levelling some allegations. We have ordered a CAG audit of the Delhi Jal Board for the last 15 years...If someone has done something wrong, they will be punished. If there is no discrepancy, the truth will come out," ANI quoted the Delhi CM as saying.

Alleging that the Finance Department has not released the second installment  of funds for the DJB, Kejriwal said sewers were overflowing in several areas due to non-maintainence and Water Minister Atishi was visiting the areas facing these issues.

सुल्तानपुरी में जल बोर्ड की सीवर लाइनों की सफ़ाई में कोताही की खबरें आई थी, तो यहाँ का औचक निरीक्षण किया..

जब तक दिल्ली के मुख्यमंत्री @ArvindKejriwal जी है, तब तक जनता के काम होने से कोई नहीं रोक सकता। pic.twitter.com/VAcAM80JCO

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) December 5, 2023

While ordering the CAG audit, Kejriwal said corruption and misuse of public funds could not be tolerated, IANS reported quoting a government source. 

The action came after the Finance Department flagged financial mismanagement in the DJB but has not clarified on the specific instances of irregularities or officials involved in the graft, the source told IANS.

READ | Delhi Minister Warns Of Severe Water Shortage, Blames Finance Secy For Not Releasing Funds

Last month, Atishi appealed to Lt Governor VK Saxena for immediate intervention while warning of a "severe" water shortage in several parts of Delhi due to the stoppage of DJB funds. The minister had alleged that Finance Secretary Ashish Verma has stopped the release of funds since August on orders of the Delhi Chief Secretary.

"There is no money even for salary and routine work. All the contractors have refused to work. In the coming days, there may be severe water shortage in many areas," the minister had said.