New Delhi: Lt Governor of Delhi V K Saxena has directed for an FIR to be filed against Delhi Jal Board (DJB) officials, a bank, and a private entity for allegedly embezzling Rs 20 crore in water bills, news agency PTI reported citing sources at the LG office. There was no response from the DJB or the Delhi government.
According to the PTI sources, the matter had first come to light in 2019 with the allegation that Rs 20 crore collected in water bills from consumers was not deposited in the bank account of DJB.
An official while talking to news agency IANS said, "The DJB appointed its banker, Corporation Bank to collect the water bills on its behalf through an order in June 2012 for three years and the same was renewed further in 2016, 2017 and even in 2019, after the fraud was detected. The bank, in turn, in total violation of the terms of contract and in the knowledge DJB officials, engaged a private agency M/s Freshpay IT Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for collection of cash and cheques and for deposition of the same in DJB's bank account."
He further stated that "it was noticed while extending the contract of the bank beyond October 10, 2019, when Arvind Kejriwal was the Chairman of DJB, that grave irregularities had occurred regarding delayed/non-deposition of cash by the bank during the period of contract from July 11, 2012 to October 10, 2019. It was observed that an amount of Rs 20 crore (including interest, penalty, etc.), though deposited by the consumers had not been transferred into the DJB's Bank Account."
Despite the accusations, they stated that the contract of the business involved in bill collection — which it conducted in cash and cheques — had been extended.
According to sources cited by PTI, the LG has ordered the Chief Secretary to file an FIR in the case against the DJB and bank officials after identifying them and the private organisations involved.
He also urged the officials to recover the money as soon as possible, the sources said. The LG has sought an action-taken report on the matter within 15 days, they added.
(With inputs from PTI and IANS)