The Minor Irrigation Department has been accused of misappropriating government funds under the Atal Groundwater Scheme. More than ₹2.75 crore (approximately $2.75 million) has been embezzled under the Atal Groundwater Scheme, operated by the Minor Irrigation Department, in the name of embankment construction.
Based on the complaints, Sadar MLA Prakash Dwivedi has written to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, demanding a TAC investigation and strict action against the culprits.
Sadar MLA Prakash Dwivedi has written a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stating that the Minor Irrigation Department has become a den of corruption these days.
He stated that while the state government is continuously allocating funds to provide better irrigation facilities to farmers, departmental officials are engaged in widespread corruption and negligence, misappropriating government funds on the ground.
The MLA wrote in the letter that the Minor Irrigation Department is openly mocking irrigation projects, including check dams, borings, pump installations, blast wells, and embankment construction. Many projects were completed only on paper, while on the ground, they either remain incomplete or have collapsed due to poor construction.
The MLA has talked about conducting a TAC inquiry into the departmental work done from the year 2022-23 to the year 2025-26 and taking strict action against the culprits.
It has been told that under the Atal Ground Water Scheme, tied construction projects were prepared at a cost of about Rs 2 crore 88 lakh, out of which many tied construction projects were shown as complete and payment was withdrawn only on paper. There were huge irregularities in the tender process required for Bandhi construction and the transparent process was not followed.
The complainant also alleges that with the connivance of departmental officers and employees, the work of Bandhi construction was handed over to favored contractors and government money was misappropriated by making the payment in a hurry without physical verification. DM Amit Aseri said that the matter is not under cognizance and investigation will be conducted.