Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken decisive action against corruption by suspending Sujeet Kumar Vikas, the Superintending Engineer of Peyjal Nigam in Haldwani. This move underscores the government's zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct and aims to cleanse the state's administrative machinery.
The suspension was ordered by Shailesh Bagauli, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Peyjal Nigam, with immediate effect, citing violations of the employee conduct code. Vikas, who was also serving as the in-charge Chief Engineer for the Kumaon region, faces serious allegations of financial irregularities.
The action stems from a complaint filed by Sanjay Kumar, a contractor involved in water supply projects. Kumar alleged that in 2022, Vikas, thenSuperintending Engineer in the construction division of Uttarakhand Peyjal Nigam in Dehradun, promised to register Kumar's firm, M/s Harsh Enterprises, and provide work opportunities. In return, Vikas allegedly demanded ₹10 lakh, which Kumar paid in installments.
The investigation revealed that the funds were transferred to a firm named "Kuchu-Puchu Enterprises," where Vikas's wife, Ranju Kumari, is a partner. The firm's account is held at Kotak Mahindra Bank in Haldwani, while the payments were made from the Bank of Baroda branch in Kashipur. This financial link raised serious concerns about potential conflicts of interest and abuse of power.
Despite being given 15 days to respond to the allegations, Vikas failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. This silence was interpreted by the department as an admission of guilt, leading to his suspension. During his suspension, Vikas will be attached to the office of the General Manager (Training), Human Resources Division, Peyjal Nigam, Roorkee.
Chief Minister Dhami's administration has been actively pursuing a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, leading to a series of arrests and suspensions of government officials. Over the past four and a half years, the Vigilance Department has conducted 82 trap operations, resulting in 94 arrests, including 13 gazetted officers. The state boasts a 71% conviction rate in corruption cases, demonstrating a commitment to holding wrongdoers accountable.
Recent cases include the arrest of a PWD Assistant Engineer in Nainital for soliciting a bribe of ₹10,000, a UPCL Junior Engineer in Dehradun accepting ₹15,000, and a Roadways AGM in Kashipur detained for a ₹90,000 bribe. A District Excise Officer in Rudrapur was also apprehended for accepting a 10% commission on liquor consignments worth ₹10 lakh.
To further combat corruption, the Uttarakhand government has launched a toll-free helpline (1064) to encourage public reporting of corruption. The Chief Minister has also directed all departments to withhold key responsibilities from accused officials until final judicial outcomes are reached and to fast-track prosecution timelines in trap cases.
The suspension of Sujeet Kumar Vikas sends a strong message that the government is serious about tackling corruption at all levels. This action is expected to have a positive impact on the morale and integrity of other officials within the Uttarakhand Peyjal Nigam and across the state government. The case is a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct and accountability in public service, reinforcing the message that no one is above the law.
