Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma has ordered an ACB probe into a senior IAS officer and others over alleged ₹900 crore Jal Jeevan Mission tender irregularities.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to conduct an investigation into a senior IAS officer and five other officials concerning allegations of fraud and corruption related to the Jal Jeevan Mission tenders during the previous Ashok Gehlot administration.

The investigation will be carried out pursuant to Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act against the department’s officials, including the senior IAS officer who served as the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) heading the Water Supplies Department at the time the alleged Rs 900 crore scam was uncovered in August 2023.

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Although the government has not officially disclosed the names of the IAS and other officers, records indicate that the most senior IAS officer in the state, Subodh Agarwal, served as the ACS of the Water Supplies Department from May 16, 2023, to January 12, 2024. He presently holds the position of CMD at the Rajasthan Finance Corporation (RFC) and is scheduled to retire this month.

Approval for investigations into 12 officers had previously been granted; now, a total of 18 individuals will be examined in this alleged scheme, which is also under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).