Jaipur (Rajasthan), November 3: In connection with its money laundering investigation into the implementation of the Centre’s ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ in Rajasthan, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at 25 locations across the state. The raids, taking place in the Congress-ruled state, encompass Jaipur and Dausa, including the premises of the Additional Chief Secretary in the Public Health Engineering Department, Subodh Agarwal. Some engineers, contractors, and former state government officials, suspected of having connections in the case, are also under scrutiny. These searches are being carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Previously, on September 1, the Enforcement Directorate had conducted similar raids in various cities in Rajasthan. The money laundering case initiated by the ED is based on a First Information Report previously filed by the Rajasthan Police.
In June of this year, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena alleged a scam of Rs 20,000 crore in the implementation of the Central government’s ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ in Rajasthan. He claimed that tenders worth Rs 900 crore were awarded to two companies based on fake experience certificates in 48 projects of the scheme. The ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ aims to provide safe and sufficient drinking water through household tap connections and is implemented by the Rajasthan Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).
Furthermore, last month, the ED conducted raids at the residences of the state Congress president, Govind Singh Dotasara, in the capital Jaipur and Sikar. State Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s son, Vaibhav Gehlot, was also summoned for questioning in a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) case. These actions have faced criticism from the ruling Congress, which questioned the ‘timing,’ ‘objective,’ and ‘intent’ of the Central government.
Polling for all 200 seats in the Rajasthan Assembly is scheduled for November 25, with vote counting taking place on December 3.
