A case of fake payment of about Rs 20 crore under Jal Jeevan Mission has come to light in Prayagraj. In the investigation, the role of many engineers has been found suspicious, while the technical team of Lucknow is reaching the spot and verifying the plans.

Prayagraj: After allegations of fake payments in Jal Jeevan Mission, a large-scale investigation has been started in Prayagraj. Departmental verification revealed that in many drinking water schemes, payments were made by showing the already completed works again on paper. The role of many officers including the Superintending Engineer, Executive Engineer in the matter is under investigation and the technical team from Lucknow is investigating on the spot.

Old works shown again in drinking water schemes

Under Jal Jeevan Mission, a case of large scale fake payments in the name of drinking water schemes has come to light in Prayagraj. Departmental investigation found that at many places, payment was released by showing the already laid pipelines and completed works again on paper.

According to the report, old works were recorded as new works in about 60 drinking water schemes. It has come to light that payment of approximately Rs 10 crore was made through this method. Apart from this, payment of up to Rs 10 lakh each was made in the name of different works in 112 schemes.

Lucknow’s technical team is investigating on the spot

Considering the seriousness of the matter, a high level investigation committee has been constituted on the instructions of the Managing Director. All files have been sent to Lucknow under the leadership of Chief Engineer Headquarters.

The technical team is camping in Prayagraj for investigation and is verifying the plans on the spot. According to officials, after preliminary investigation, a high level team will also conduct field inspection.

Many engineers are under investigation

The role of several officers including the then Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer Praveen Kumar Kutty in the fake payment case is being investigated. It is reported that he was posted on both the posts for a long time.

Apart from this, two assistant engineers and two junior engineers are also being interrogated. The investigating agencies are trying to find out at what levels negligence or collusion took place in the payment process.

Hundreds of drinking water projects are running in the district

At present, 664 water tanks are under construction in Prayagraj, while 234 projects are under retrofitting. Retrofitting involves repair and improvement of old water schemes.

Under this, intake wells are also being established on the banks of Ganga and Yamuna to strengthen the water supply in Meja, Manda, Koraon, Jasra and Shankargarh areas. The investigation team is now matching the records and actual works of these projects.