Years-Long Dual Role Fuels Corruption Allegations; Swift Attachment Order Fails to Address Systemic Rot, Potential Cover-Up
- Jia Lal, a Jal Shakti (PHE) daily wager posted in Khour, allegedly operated for years as a driver of ARTO and influential middleman within the RTO Jammu office while drawing his salary from PHE.
- Following inquiries by Jammu Jottings, PHE Executive Engineer Akhnoor, Rocky Mahajan, confirmed Jia Lal’s status and issued an immediate attachment order (No: JS/PHEDA/457-60 Dated 22/04/2025) moving him back to the Akhnoor Division office.
- Serious questions arise about how this arrangement persisted, allegedly for up to ten years, without official deputation, raising concerns of potential collusion within both PHE and Transport Departments.
- The swift attachment order is seen by critics as insufficient, potentially shielding higher-ups, demanding a thorough probe into the alleged corruption, illegal earnings, and the complete nexus involved, contrasting sharply with stated ‘zero tolerance’ policies.
Jammu, April 22, 2025: A major potential fraud implicating both the Jal Shakti (PHE) Department and the Regional Transport Office (RTO) Jammu has surfaced, centering around a daily wage employee who allegedly moonlighted for years as a driver of ARTO and powerful broker within the RTO system while remaining on the PHE payroll. Jia Lal, son of Harbans Lal, officially a CP Worker with Jal Shakti (PHE) Civil Sub Division Khour, stands accused of leveraging his position to amass significant wealth through illicit means, allegedly operating with impunity within the RTO Jammu premises.
Sources allege that Jia Lal’s role extended far beyond simple driving duties for senior RTO officials. He was reportedly a key figure in facilitating various RTO tasks, from securing driving licenses to arranging vehicle fitness certificates, allegedly in exchange for substantial bribes. His influence was such that he was frequently seen accompanying top RTO Jammu officials during vehicle checks and even attended high-profile events, such as the recent inauguration of the ARTO camp office in Khour by the Transport Minister, raising serious questions about his unofficial capacity and access. Insiders claim Jia Lal became indispensable, remaining untouched by departmental transfers that shifted other personnel.
The core of the scandal lies in how Jia Lal managed this dual existence. For potentially up to a decade, he drew a regular salary from the Jal Shakti Department, yet functioned actively within the RTO Jammu. When Jammu Jottings contacted the Executive Engineer (XEN) of Jal Shakti (PHE) Division Akhnoor, Rocky Mahajan, he confirmed Jia Lal was indeed their daily wager and had not been officially deputed to any other department. Tellingly, only after being questioned by Jammu Jottings did XEN Mahajan issue Office Order No: JS/PHEDA/457-60 Dated 22/04/2025, stating: “In the interest of Administration and Smooth Functioning of WSS Sh. Jia Lal S/o. Harbans Lal C.P Worker Jal Shakti (PHE) Civil Sub Division Khour shall now work in Jal Shakti (PHE) Division Akhnoor.” The order mandates “immediate effect” and directs Jia Lal to report to the Divisional Office Akhnoor.
However, this swift attachment order, issued under pressure, does little to address the fundamental questions: How did Jia Lal operate undetected within the RTO for so long while his PHE salary was processed without red flags? Did senior officials in PHE, responsible for salary disbursement and oversight, turn a blind eye or actively facilitate this arrangement? What about the concerned Junior Engineer (JE) who, when questioned about Jia Lal’s attendance records, reportedly gave evasive answers about retrieving them from lower staff? Whose skin is being saved by this minimalist administrative action?
Locals widely recognize Jia Lal as a well-connected broker allegedly involved in numerous illicit dealings at the RTO, apparently shielded by influential backers. While the Transport Department might offer the weak defence that a private vehicle was hired with Jia Lal as its driver, this fails to explain his presence at official functions and his alleged deep involvement in RTO processes, especially given reported driver shortages within the department itself.
The situation reeks of a deep-rooted nexus potentially involving officials from both departments, directly contradicting the ‘zero tolerance’ against corruption repeatedly espoused by the Union Territory’s Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister. This hurried attachment order appears more like a damage control attempt than a genuine move towards accountability. Will this exposé open a Pandora’s box, revealing systemic corruption within PHE and RTO Jammu?
A thorough, impartial investigation is imperative. Investigative agencies must scrutinize Jia Lal’s activities, financial dealings, communications (call records, messages), and identify all officials who enabled or benefited from this alleged years-long fraud. Merely attaching one daily wager fails to address the rot. Responsibility must be fixed, and all culprits, regardless of rank or department, must be brought to book to restore public faith in the administration. The million-dollar question remains: Will the skeletons tumble out of the cupboards, or will this blatant case of alleged corruption be swept under the rug?
