Manoj Tiwari Asserts Delhi Jal Board, Synonymous With Kejriwal Government Corruption, Demands Not Just Audit But Judicial Inquiry
In a press conference attended by former Delhi BJP President and MP Shri Manoj Tiwari, Delhi BJP Secretary Shri Harish Khurana, and Media Head Shri Praveen Shankar Kapoor, scathing allegations were levied against the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Jal Board (DJB). The BJP leaders asserted that the DJB, once envisioned to be financially independent, has become synonymous with corruption under the Kejriwal government, prompting calls for an audit and a judicial inquiry.
Shri Manoj Tiwari highlighted the historical context, stating that the DJB, established in 1998, aimed to generate revenue independently for its infrastructure while the Delhi government would fund major projects. However, he lamented the mismanagement during the Congress government from 1999 to 2013, leading to a staggering liability of Rs 20 thousand crores.
Turning the spotlight on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Shri Tiwari accused it of failing to fulfill promises made in 2015 and 2020 regarding tap water for households, citing a significant shortfall in water availability. He emphasized the stark contrast between the promised 1350 MGD water and the actual availability of 950 MGD, indicative of the government's alleged deception.
Shri Tiwari accused the Kejriwal government of financial irregularities, claiming that despite loans and grants totaling Rs 12,700 crore in the last five years, there is no transparency in the DJB's financial management. He underscored the absence of audits and accounts since 2016-17, leading to an estimated loss of Rs 70 thousand crore by March 31, 2023.
C.A.G. warnings and unanswered letters were cited as evidence of the DJB's financial mismanagement, further exacerbated by the alleged diversion of Rs 750 crores for unauthorized projects. Shri Tiwari accused Water Minister Ms. Atishi of resorting to threats instead of providing accounts when questioned about budget allocations.
Shri Harish Khurana, who filed a petition in the Delhi High Court for a C.A.G. audit in 2021, labeled the DJB as the most corrupt government institution with unaccounted loans and grants worth Rs 76 thousand crores. He criticized the DJB's attempt to suppress his petition and revealed an affidavit seeking a year's time to file accounts.
In a damning critique, Shri Praveen Shankar Kapoor highlighted the apparent corruption in various departments under the Kejriwal government, portraying a pervasive pattern of financial manipulation and irregularities. The press conference concluded with the assertion that the people of Delhi would not be misled and would demand answers from the Kejriwal government on the alleged corruption within the DJB.
