Ex IAS Subodh Aggarwal arrested in Rs 20,000 crore Jal Jeevan Mission’scam’- four years back I had prevented similiar scam by exposing it in Tehelka Magazine.Link below
Gustakhi Maaf Haryana — Pawan Kumar Bansal
In a major development, former IAS officer Subodh Aggarwal has been arrested following a multi-city manhunt in connection with the alleged ₹20,000 crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam. The case has once again brought into focus concerns over transparency and accountability in large-scale public procurement.
A similar attempt at irregularity in Haryana was averted four years ago after it was exposed in the country’s leading investigative magazine Tehelka. Around four years ago, the then top functionary of the state government was reportedly keen on awarding a major contract for the supply of pipes—worth approximately ₹900 crore—to a company facing serious questions over its credentials.
The matter came up before a high-powered purchase committee chaired by the same top boss . However, since the company in question was not eligible to be considered at that stage, the chair reportedly pushed for deferring the decision. The intent, it was believed, was to allow the firm time to clear its deficiencies and participate in the next meeting. The proposal to award the contract was accordingly kept pending.
What followed was a critical breakthrough. This writer managed to access the official minutes of the high-powered committee meeting, which clearly recorded the chairman’s desire to defer the decision on the contract award.
The manner in which the document reached me remains an intriguing episode. One morning, the doorbell at my Gurugram residence rang. When I opened the door, an unidentified person asked if I was Pawan Kumar Bansal. Upon confirmation, he repeated the question, and after receiving the same reply, handed over a sealed envelope, simply stating, “Sahib ne bheja hai” (sent by a वरिष्ठ अधिकारी).
Inside was the crucial document—the minutes of the high-powered purchase committee meeting. Armed with this evidence, I published the exposé in Tehelka. The revelations ensured that the tainted company was never awarded the contract for supplying pipes.
This episode stands as a reminder of the importance of vigilant journalism and credible sources in safeguarding public interest.
https://tehelka.com/eyebrows-raised-as-haryana-sits-on-purchase-process-for-pms-flagship-drinking-water-projects/