Madhya Pradesh State Department Orders Probe Against Own Minister
Bhopal:
Madhya Pradesh Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has ordered an investigation against its own minister Sampatiya Uike following explosive corruption allegations linked to the Rs 30,000 crore Jal Jeevan Mission.
Chief Engineer (ENC) Sanjay Andhavan issued the inquiry orders after a complaint was sent directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government demanded a detailed report.
The inquiry centers around serious allegations that funds meant to bring clean drinking water to rural homes have instead been directed into personal coffers. The allegations stem from a letter sent to the Prime Minister on April 12 by former MLA Kishor Samrite. Mr Samrite alleged that Ms Uike took Rs 1,000 crore in commission, while former Chief Engineer BK Sonagariya is accused of siphoning off Rs 2,000 crore through his accountant Mahendra Khare.
Mr Samrite claims that top officials of the Jal Nigam's Project Implementation Unit (PIU) grabbed crores.
In Betul, an executive engineer allegedly withdrew Rs 150 crore from government accounts without executing a single project. Similar patterns of ghost work and massive fund withdrawals have been flagged in Chhindwara and Balaghat districts.
Mr Samrite has further alleged that nearly 7,000 fake completion certificates for non-existent water supply projects were sent to the Centre, raising fears that public money has been embezzled on an unprecedented scale. He has demanded a CBI investigation, warning that this could be one of the biggest scams in the country's history.
A letter has been dispatched to all PHE Chief Engineers and the Project Director of MP Jal Nigam, directing them to submit findings within seven days.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
26 minutes ago
- Hans India
Rs 1.53 cr Chandragiri sports centre works begin
Tirupati: The construction of the incomplete Sports Development Centre at Government Boys School in Chandragiri resumed on Monday. Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Chairman A Ravi Naidu and Chandragiri MLA Pulivarthi Nani laid foundation stone to restart the works, which are estimated to cost Rs 1.53 crore. Speaking at the event, SAAP Chairman Ravi Naidu said the coalition government is committed to encouraging students to excel not only in academics but also in sports. He criticised the previous administration, claiming that the centre's development was hindered by selfish political motives. MLA Pulivarthi Nani noted that the coalition government began various development projects in Chandragiri constituency immediately after assuming office. Restarting the Sports Development Centre is part of the broader agenda, he said, adding that the constituency has seen 937 development programmes initiated within the past year. He blamed the previous YSRCP government for the halt in construction, citing delayed contractor payments despite approved bills. He instructed the contractor to ensure the centre is completed promptly and with high quality.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
'I took a loan for my car': Madhav Suresh opens up on privilege, trolls
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Madhav Suresh , son of actor Suresh Gopi , is stepping into the public eye with a clear message—he wants to build his life on his own terms. Madhav recently opened up about dealing with online criticism, financial independence, and his deep respect for the values his parents instilled in him. Talking to Milestone Makers, responding to trolls who questioned his purchase of a high-end Golf GTI car worth over Rs 67 lakhs in Kerala, Madhav clarified that he financed the vehicle with a loan, not with his father's money. 'I took the loan in my own name, and now I have to earn to repay it. I wanted to set that straight,' he said with honesty and conviction. Family wealth Is for family needs Madhav emphasized that his father's earnings are not for his personal luxuries. 'My father and mother have saved their money for their retirement life, and for the weddings of my sisters. That money is theirs and has a purpose. If I ever face a crisis, that financial safety net will be there—but I understand not everyone has that privilege, and I don't take it for granted,' he said. Suresh Gopi and Gokul Suresh in Lelam 2 Instead of leaning on his family's name, Madhav believes in building his own identity through effort. 'Privilege exists, yes, but that doesn't mean I can sit idle. I have to work hard and prove myself—for me and my family,' he said. Trolls, politics, and perspective Madhav also addressed the hate comments and online trolling he has received, which he believes are partly because his father is a (Politicial party name) minister. But he carries no bitterness. 'I don't have any anger towards those who troll me,' he said calmly, showing a sense of maturity beyond his years. Looking to the future, Madhav has just one goal: 'Someday, I want my children to look at me and say, 'My father built a good life for us.' That's what drives me.'
India Gazette
44 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Centre approves annual road plan of Rs 3,667 crore for Himachal: Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 1 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh stated that the Central Government has approved the Annual Plan of Rs 3,667 crore for the construction and upgrading of roads, bridges and related infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh for the financial year 2024-25. Singh on Monday said that the plan includes construction of bridges, road widening, installation of crash barriers and other works on national highways across various districts of the state. The Minister said that on the directions of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, he recently met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and discussed important issues related to the state. He said that presently the state has around 1,200 kilometres of roads under the national highway network and requested to enhance central assistance for their maintenance and improvement of roads and other related works. He said that while the state had submitted an Annual Plan of Rs. 2,600 crore for the financial year 2023-24, it had received only Rs. 269 crore, which was insufficient. However, for the financial year 2024-25, the state government proposed a plan worth Rs.3,667 crore, which has now been approved by the Centre in June. Vikramaditya Singh said that he had also raised the issue of constructing a tunnel beneath Jalori Jot in Kullu district, under National Highway-305. The Central Government has given in-principle approval and sanctioned Rs. 1,452 crore for this tunnel. He said that the construction of this tunnel would not only boost tourism in the area but also benefit lakhs of residents in the region. He further added that due to repeated landslides near Brauni Nala on National Highway-5, the road has suffered serious damage. To address this, the Centre has approved Rs.135 crore for the construction of a bridge at this location. Apart from this, the Central Government has sanctioned Rs.1,385 crore for the four-laning of the Kala Amb-Paonta Sahib-Dehradun road. It includes land acquisition and pre-construction activities. The PWD Minister expressed his gratitude to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the Central Government for approving significant funds for the state. He said he was hoping for strong coordination between the Centre and the State to continue in the future. He said that the state government, with the Centre's support, was committed to ensuring balanced and inclusive development in all regions of the state. The Minister said that during his Delhi visit, he also met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and raised the issue of the proposed Bhubu Jot tunnel and road connecting Mandi and Kullu districts. He requested that the road leading to the tunnel be declared strategically important as a defence route. He said that the state was hopeful of a positive outcome on this vital road project in the near future. Once completed, the road would reduce the distance between Pathankot and Kullu by 40 to 50 kilometres, which would boost tourism and also benefit residents as well as the Indian Army. (ANI)
