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Delhi Minister Atishi on Tuesday wrote to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena demanding suspension and disciplinary action against Finance Secretary Ashish C. Verma for allegedly stopping funds of Delhi Jal Board citing non-release of funds can lead to a public health crisis soon.
"As far as DJB is concerned, non-release of funds can lead to a public health crisis- soon and there will be large parts of Delhi getting contaminated water, sewer lines will be overflowing, water shortages will be seen. For a critical public utility like water, funds have to be released in a matter of hours, not even days, since it is the lifeline of the city," Atishi said. The total pending demand as on October 31, 2023 stands at 910 crores. Further, asserting that Ashish C.Verma must be suspended, Atishi demanded to release of funds for the Delhi Jal Board. "Suspension and disciplinary action against Ashish C. Verma be initiated for stopping the release of the second instalment of the GIA and Loan to Delhi Jal Board, and thereby obstructing basic water supply and drainage/sewerage services, which will cause highly unsanitary conditions in the NCT. For critical utilities like water and sewer works, regular funds cannot be stopped under any circumstances. Therefore, the second instalment of the GIA and Loan for the Delhi Jal Board under the Budget Estimates 2023-24 be immediately released to the Delhi Jal Board," Atishi added. "If there is indeed evidence of past irregularities in the functioning of the Delhi Jal Board found, then action should be taken against all such errant officers," she added. Earlier, Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday alleged that the AAP government has done a Rs 3,753 crore worth 'scam' in Delhi Jal Board on the lines of the liquor policy scam and Sheesh Mahal scam, both of which are already under the scanner of central agencies. The BJP claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party government paid an extra 35 per cent against the allocated budget for the DJB's project to supply water tankers in the city. (ANI)
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