New Delhi: Delhi Water Minister Atishi on Wednesday wrote to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena demanding a probe into the alleged nexus of senior officials with the tanker mafia, as the capital grapples with water crisis this summer.
He also requested the LG to depute an ACP level police officer for patrolling the stretch of Munak Canal in Delhi to ensure that there is no illegal water filling activity there.
"The possible nexus of senior officials of the Delhi government with the tanker mafia needs to be investigated as there appears to be a deliberate and significant reduction in the number of tankers deployed by the Delhi Jal Board in the last one year," he said. Claimed. Citing figures, Atishi said that in January last year, Delhi Jal Board had deployed 1,179 tankers and in June the same year the number was 1,203.
“However, this number was reduced to 888 in January 2024 without my approval.In fact, without any consultation with me. I repeatedly raised the issue of complaints regarding shortage of water tankers and kept asking the CEO DJB to increase the number of tankers, but he did not do so,” he alleged.
The minister said he had directed the Chief Secretary on March 14, April 3 and April 12 to increase the number of water tankers compared to previous years, but he did not do so. "There is a shortage of water tankers deployed by the DJB. This has led to the possible proliferation of private tanker mafias, who are selling water illegally.If senior officials of Delhi Government have not increased the number of water tankers deployed in DJB despite the instructions of the Minister in-charge, there is serious concern about their nexus with the tanker mafia.
Atishi said the number of tankers was increased only when the severe water crisis began and he threatened to "investigate this collusion in an open meeting".
“Still the number of water tankers deployed by the DJB is lower than in June 2023, despite much more extreme heat conditions and far greater water shortages. Common sense says that the number of water tankers deployed by the DJB The number of cases this summer should be lower than in previous years,” the minister said. “However, the fact that this is not the case leads one to believe that the Delhi government is planning to reduce the number of cases this summer.” There is nexus between senior officials and the tanker mafia.Therefore, an inquiry committee should be formed to investigate the nexus of the Chief Secretary and the tanker mafia. CEO DJB with tanker mafia. Pending the investigation, both the officers may be suspended so that the proceedings are not affected."
Atishi recalled the June 10 meeting with the LG and said he showed some photographs of private tankers filling water from the Delhi section of CLC (Carrier Line Channel) and DSB (Delhi Sub-Branch), sub-branches of Munak Canal. Were. ,
“Since Delhi cannot afford any loss of water at a time of such extreme heat and water crisis, I would like to request the Honorable LG to depute an ACP level police officer for patrolling the Delhi stretch of Munak Canal so that no Private tankers can fill water from there illegally,” he said.On Tuesday, Atishi had accused Saxena of blaming the AAP government for poor maintenance of water canals and theft of water supply by illegal tankers.
"LG Saheb has been exposed. He said that Munak Canal is not maintained properly. The maintenance, repair and safety of the canal comes under the Haryana Irrigation Department. He also said that water is being stolen from the canal. .If all this is happening, Atishi said, why doesn't he talk to the Chief Minister of Haryana? Their only job is to blame the AAP government for everything.
He alleged, "Delhi Police reports to the LG, why doesn't he arrest those who steal water? This shows that everything is happening with his blessings." It has been said that no action will be taken against the mafia.
"Despite knowing that there is a large-scale water mafia operating in Delhi, extorting money from the poorest of the poor, the Delhi Jal Board under AAP never thought it appropriate to lodge a complaint with the police, leave alone filing an FIR. "This will automatically ensure police action," said a Raj Niwas official.
“They never came to the LG for action,” the officer said.They certainly could not have done this because the water mafia in Delhi works in connivance with the Aam Aadmi Party under the direct patronage and blessings of its leaders."
He also requested the LG to depute an ACP level police officer for patrolling the stretch of Munak Canal in Delhi to ensure that there is no illegal water filling activity there.
"The possible nexus of senior officials of the Delhi government with the tanker mafia needs to be investigated as there appears to be a deliberate and significant reduction in the number of tankers deployed by the Delhi Jal Board in the last one year," he said. Claimed. Citing figures, Atishi said that in January last year, Delhi Jal Board had deployed 1,179 tankers and in June the same year the number was 1,203.
“However, this number was reduced to 888 in January 2024 without my approval.In fact, without any consultation with me. I repeatedly raised the issue of complaints regarding shortage of water tankers and kept asking the CEO DJB to increase the number of tankers, but he did not do so,” he alleged.
The minister said he had directed the Chief Secretary on March 14, April 3 and April 12 to increase the number of water tankers compared to previous years, but he did not do so. "There is a shortage of water tankers deployed by the DJB. This has led to the possible proliferation of private tanker mafias, who are selling water illegally.If senior officials of Delhi Government have not increased the number of water tankers deployed in DJB despite the instructions of the Minister in-charge, there is serious concern about their nexus with the tanker mafia.
Atishi said the number of tankers was increased only when the severe water crisis began and he threatened to "investigate this collusion in an open meeting".
“Still the number of water tankers deployed by the DJB is lower than in June 2023, despite much more extreme heat conditions and far greater water shortages. Common sense says that the number of water tankers deployed by the DJB The number of cases this summer should be lower than in previous years,” the minister said. “However, the fact that this is not the case leads one to believe that the Delhi government is planning to reduce the number of cases this summer.” There is nexus between senior officials and the tanker mafia.Therefore, an inquiry committee should be formed to investigate the nexus of the Chief Secretary and the tanker mafia. CEO DJB with tanker mafia. Pending the investigation, both the officers may be suspended so that the proceedings are not affected."
Atishi recalled the June 10 meeting with the LG and said he showed some photographs of private tankers filling water from the Delhi section of CLC (Carrier Line Channel) and DSB (Delhi Sub-Branch), sub-branches of Munak Canal. Were. ,
“Since Delhi cannot afford any loss of water at a time of such extreme heat and water crisis, I would like to request the Honorable LG to depute an ACP level police officer for patrolling the Delhi stretch of Munak Canal so that no Private tankers can fill water from there illegally,” he said.On Tuesday, Atishi had accused Saxena of blaming the AAP government for poor maintenance of water canals and theft of water supply by illegal tankers.
"LG Saheb has been exposed. He said that Munak Canal is not maintained properly. The maintenance, repair and safety of the canal comes under the Haryana Irrigation Department. He also said that water is being stolen from the canal. .If all this is happening, Atishi said, why doesn't he talk to the Chief Minister of Haryana? Their only job is to blame the AAP government for everything.
He alleged, "Delhi Police reports to the LG, why doesn't he arrest those who steal water? This shows that everything is happening with his blessings." It has been said that no action will be taken against the mafia.
"Despite knowing that there is a large-scale water mafia operating in Delhi, extorting money from the poorest of the poor, the Delhi Jal Board under AAP never thought it appropriate to lodge a complaint with the police, leave alone filing an FIR. "This will automatically ensure police action," said a Raj Niwas official.
“They never came to the LG for action,” the officer said.They certainly could not have done this because the water mafia in Delhi works in connivance with the Aam Aadmi Party under the direct patronage and blessings of its leaders."
