Gujarat govt admits to scam in Nal Se Jal scheme, 12 booked for corruption

At the ongoing monsoon session of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, Water Resources and Water Supply Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya admitted to a scam in the Nal Se Jal scheme.

When the matter was raised in the Assembly, the minister acknowledged that corruption had indeed occurred in the Nal Se Jal scheme in Mahisagar district, where police complaints have been filed against 12 government employees so far.

In Dahod district, corruption under MNREGA has been exposed, allegedly involving the two sons of minister Bachu Khabad, which has brought disrepute to the government. Now, the Nal Se Jal scheme has also been tainted by malpractice. Large-scale irregularities have been uncovered in Mahisagar district. 

Leader of the Opposition Dr Tushar Chaudhary questioned why the government had earlier given a written reply stating that no irregularities had taken place. 

In response, Baavaliya admitted that after complaints were received regarding the Nal Se Jal scheme, an investigation was conducted across 630 villages in Mahisagar district, which confirmed irregularities. So far, ₹297 crore has been recovered from 122 agencies, and 43 water committees have been ordered to return funds. Moreover, 122 agencies have been debarred.

Moreover, members of the taluka panchayat may be involved in the Nal Se Jal scam, prompting further investigation. The opposition has alleged that BJP leaders and their close associates were the ones who carried out corruption in both MNREGA and Nal Se Jal schemes. In Mahisagar district, out of 714 villages, work to install household taps has been undertaken in 680 villages. The government, however, claims that under the Jal Jeevan Mission, a total of 91 lakh households in Gujarat have been provided with tap water connections.