New Delhi (Agency): Congress blasted the BJP-led Central government on Monday, alleging a massive scam of Rs 13,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir’s Jal Jeevan Mission. Pawan Khera, a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), also accused the government of victimizing Ashok Kumar Parmar, the IAS officer who exposed the alleged scam.
During a press conference at the party headquarters, Khera said the government uses “event management” every day to divert attention from real issues. Khera pointed out that while the G20 Summit was taking place in Delhi, a complaint emerged from Jammu and Kashmir against Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha. The complaint alleged a Rs 13,000 crore scam in the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Ashok Kumar Parmar, the whistleblower, is a Dalit IAS officer who has reported the issue to the SC/ST Commission and the Ministry of Home. Despite this, Khera said, “no action has been taken.”
Khera accused top officials, including Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha, of shielding the corrupt officers named in Parmar’s report. Parmar was allegedly demoted from his position as Principal Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department, even though he has 30 years of service.
“Parmar was transferred four times while the officers named in the scam are being protected,” Khera said. The Congress leader also mentioned a previous scam and questionable financial dealings involving Sanjay Rai Sherpuria and Lt. Governor Sinha.
Pawan Khera fired a series of questions at the government. “Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government answer why a Dalit IAS officer was harassed and targeted, even though he exposed a massive scam of Rs 13,000 crore?” He also questioned why no CBI inquiry has been ordered despite complaints to the Union Home Ministry.