MP dept orders probe against own minister over Jal Jeevan funds

The letter was sent to the Chief Engineer of PHE Department for all regions of the state and the Project Director of the MP Water Corporation Limited, Bhopal. They have been instructed to submit detailed reports within seven days.

Uikey did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment.

The investigation stems from an April 12 complaint filed by Kishore Samrite, a former MLA from Lanji and the national president of Sanyukt Kranti Party, who alleged that “ministers, officers and contractors” “misused” the Central funds meant for providing tap water connections to rural households in the BJP-ruled state.

Samrite’s complaint, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was referenced by the Under Secretary of the MP Government in a letter to the state PHE Department on May 30, ENC Andhavan’s communication stated.

In his complaint, Samrite alleged that “30 crore rupees given by the Government of India under Jal Jeevan Mission in the Public Health Engineering Department have been misused by ministers, officers and contractors.” The complaint alleged that Uikey took “commission in this scheme” and a large amount was taken through a Mandla-based Executive Engineer.

Samrite’s complaint also alleged widespread corruption involving multiple officials and contractors across the state’s water supply infrastructure projects. “In this scheme, 3,000 completely fake work completion and utility certificates have been sent to the Government of India which should be immediately seized…,” his complaint read.