The letter was written months after Rajasekhar mentioned the "illegal activities" of Srivastava, who was removed from the post of advisor in July 2023, to DJB's chief vigilance officer (CVO).
In the letter on Monday, the Special Secretary (Vigilance) said that Srivastava was appointed as an advisor to the DJB without the approval of the competent authority, i.e. the Lieutenant Governor.
Ankit Srivastava was removed from the post of advisor, yet he remained a member of the WhatsApp group named 'Ministers (Water) Group'. It also came to notice that Ankit Srivastava, while being a member of the said WhatsApp group, was engaged in giving instructions to various senior officers including Chief Engineers and Additional Chief Engineers and taking policy decisions, although he was a private person and had no authority. . Standee in any case,” read the letter.Rajasekhar said that a report had been sought from the CVO of DJB on this issue. In response, the DJB said that even though he (Srivastava) ceases to be the Advisor (Hydraulics and Water Bodies) on July 24, 2023, he has actively participated as a member of the 'Group of Ministers (Water)' till then. Continued to take. 5 October 2023, when he left the group”.
In his letter, the Special Secretary told the ACB that Srivastava was actively involved in giving instructions on Iradat Nagar Lake, tube-well installation, coordination on behalf of the Chief Minister Camp Office, receiving mails and accessing and passing instructions to the CM Camp Office. Were. To a senior officer of Delhi Jal Board”.“It was found that he was going to Delhi on the orders of the CM Camp Office and issuing instructions to various officials of the Board and had access to the mail of the CM Camp Office. Prima facie it was also found that they were not allowing senior technical officials of Delhi Jal Board to explain their views and were preventing them from giving any technical advice,” said Rajashekhar.
He also claimed that several complaints and sourced information were coming to light that "water body development contracts were being awarded to consultants known to Ankit Srivastava".
"Such activities by a private individual even after being removed pose a serious threat and are nothing but a compromise with the security and integrity of the Delhi Jal Board," the special secretary said.
“In view of the above, as per the directions of the Lieutenant Governor, I have referred the case to the ACB to conduct a holistic investigation and take necessary action regarding Anki Srivastava and her role in influencing the decision of the Delhi Jal Board." He added.
Reacting to the development, the AAP-led Delhi government said the vigilance department under the BJP-ruled central government is "hunting down consultants or advisors or domain experts who have worked with the elected government of Delhi. All secretaries, OSDs, advisors, consultants are being continuously harassed to stop working for the welfare of the people.
“The central government is poaching these professionals for political reasons. The ultimate objective is to paralyze governance in Delhi.It's an old trick, if you can't compete with the good work of other governments, try to stop their work,'' it said.
In the letter on Monday, the Special Secretary (Vigilance) said that Srivastava was appointed as an advisor to the DJB without the approval of the competent authority, i.e. the Lieutenant Governor.
Ankit Srivastava was removed from the post of advisor, yet he remained a member of the WhatsApp group named 'Ministers (Water) Group'. It also came to notice that Ankit Srivastava, while being a member of the said WhatsApp group, was engaged in giving instructions to various senior officers including Chief Engineers and Additional Chief Engineers and taking policy decisions, although he was a private person and had no authority. . Standee in any case,” read the letter.Rajasekhar said that a report had been sought from the CVO of DJB on this issue. In response, the DJB said that even though he (Srivastava) ceases to be the Advisor (Hydraulics and Water Bodies) on July 24, 2023, he has actively participated as a member of the 'Group of Ministers (Water)' till then. Continued to take. 5 October 2023, when he left the group”.
In his letter, the Special Secretary told the ACB that Srivastava was actively involved in giving instructions on Iradat Nagar Lake, tube-well installation, coordination on behalf of the Chief Minister Camp Office, receiving mails and accessing and passing instructions to the CM Camp Office. Were. To a senior officer of Delhi Jal Board”.“It was found that he was going to Delhi on the orders of the CM Camp Office and issuing instructions to various officials of the Board and had access to the mail of the CM Camp Office. Prima facie it was also found that they were not allowing senior technical officials of Delhi Jal Board to explain their views and were preventing them from giving any technical advice,” said Rajashekhar.
He also claimed that several complaints and sourced information were coming to light that "water body development contracts were being awarded to consultants known to Ankit Srivastava".
"Such activities by a private individual even after being removed pose a serious threat and are nothing but a compromise with the security and integrity of the Delhi Jal Board," the special secretary said.
“In view of the above, as per the directions of the Lieutenant Governor, I have referred the case to the ACB to conduct a holistic investigation and take necessary action regarding Anki Srivastava and her role in influencing the decision of the Delhi Jal Board." He added.
Reacting to the development, the AAP-led Delhi government said the vigilance department under the BJP-ruled central government is "hunting down consultants or advisors or domain experts who have worked with the elected government of Delhi. All secretaries, OSDs, advisors, consultants are being continuously harassed to stop working for the welfare of the people.
“The central government is poaching these professionals for political reasons. The ultimate objective is to paralyze governance in Delhi.It's an old trick, if you can't compete with the good work of other governments, try to stop their work,'' it said.
