Corruption Allegations Surface in Himachal's Jal Shakti Division

Allegations of corruption have surfaced in the Nerwa Jal Shakti Division of Shimla, with claims of irregularities in tender awards and fraudulent billing practices. A formal complaint has been lodged, demanding a high-level investigation into the matter. The spotlight is now on Jal Shakti Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who faces critical questions regarding transparency and accountability in the department. As the situation unfolds, the complainant has indicated a willingness to escalate the issue to higher authorities if necessary. The implications of these allegations could significantly impact political discussions in Himachal Pradesh.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 25, 2026, 14:01 IST

Serious Corruption Claims in Shimla's Jal Shakti Division

Munish Sood
Mandi

Allegations of corruption have surfaced from the Nerwa Jal Shakti Division located in the Chopal subdivision of Shimla district, prompting serious inquiries for the state government and Jal Shakti Minister Mukesh Agnihotri.

A formal complaint has been lodged with the Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department and Vigilance authorities, claiming significant irregularities in tender awards from 2021 to 2023. The complaint urges intervention from both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, calling for a thorough, time-sensitive investigation.

100 Tenders Awarded to One Family?

The complainant, Sandeep Diwan, a resident of Nerwa, alleges that a former Executive Engineer granted nearly 100 tenders to a female contractor and her son during his tenure. These tenders are reportedly associated with projects funded by the Centre's Jal Jeevan Mission.

The division is said to have managed projects totaling around ₹160 crore, which includes approximately ₹130 crore from the Jal Jeevan Mission and an additional ₹30 crore from the state government.

Diwan claims to have gathered copies of award letters and related documents through the Right to Information (RTI) Act over four years. He asserts that he is ready to face legal repercussions if the allegations are proven unfounded.

Claims of Fraudulent Billing and Lack of Public Notice

The complaint further alleges that many tenders were not adequately advertised. It is claimed that tender notices were neither published in newspapers nor made available on the department's official website. Additionally, it is alleged that copies were not posted on the notice board at the Nerwa division office.

More troubling are the claims that certain projects were either incomplete or not executed at all, yet bills were allegedly generated and payments processed within 10 to 20 days of allotment. The complaint also suggests that larger projects were divided into smaller packages to evade financial scrutiny and transparency regulations.

There are further allegations regarding irregularities in procurement processes, including the supply of pipes and loading-unloading components for the projects.

Officer Refutes Allegations

The officer in question has denied all accusations, stating that similar complaints have been made previously and investigated. He has expressed readiness to cooperate with any inquiry and hinted that legal action might be pursued against the complainant.

Efforts to secure a comprehensive response from the department are ongoing, and the Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department has yet to provide an official statement.

Questions for the Minister

With allegations concerning projects worth crores under a key central scheme, attention now turns to the political leadership of the department. As the Jal Shakti Minister, Mukesh Agnihotri faces pressing questions:
• Were internal audits conducted for the Nerwa division during 2021-2023?
• Were there any warnings regarding the repeated awarding of tenders to the same contractor family?
• What monitoring systems were implemented to ensure transparency under the Jal Jeevan Mission?
• Will the government initiate a vigilance or independent technical audit?

The complainant has indicated that he may escalate the issue to the Union Jal Shakti Minister if necessary.

Until an official inquiry is initiated, these allegations remain unverified. However, given the substantial funds involved and the gravity of the claims, this issue is likely to spark further political discourse regarding transparency and accountability within the Jal Shakti Department in Himachal Pradesh.