In a recent development, Atishi, the Water Minister of Delhi, has brought attention to a potential water crisis in the city, citing a financial standoff with Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. Atishi accused Kumar of withholding funds crucial for the Delhi Jal Board, urging LG VK Saxena to intervene and avert a severe water crisis in the national capital. The Finance Secretary, Ashish Verma, is also under scrutiny, with Atishi demanding his suspension for alleged non-release of funds.
Despite holding the position of the finance minister for the union territory, Atishi revealed a reluctance from the finance department to allocate funds to the agency responsible for providing water to Delhi’s residents. She pointed fingers at Verma, alleging that he halted all Delhi Jal Board funds since August under the directives of the chief secretary.
Expressing grave concerns, Atishi emphasized the looming threat of a water supply and sewer maintenance crisis in Delhi due to the Finance Department’s reported freeze on DJB funds. In a communication shared later, she disclosed her outreach to LG VK Saxena, seeking urgent intervention to address the potential crisis.
Highlighting changes after the GNCTD Amendment Act, Atishi noted a shift in the power dynamics, stating that officers now primarily adhere to the directions of the Hon’ble LG, who controls ‘Services’ and ‘Vigilance.’ She underscored the need for LG’s intervention to prevent an impending crisis in Delhi.
This development follows Atishi’s submission of a probe report to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, where she alleged irregularities in land acquisition for the Dwarka expressway. The report implicated Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar in benefiting a company linked to his son, allegedly amassing over ₹850 crore in illicit profits. As a result, Atishi has recommended the suspension of the chief secretary and called for a CBI probe into the matter, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing administrative turmoil.
