The Gwalior Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has sharply questioned the state government over a fresh proposal seeking ₹191.24 crore to restore Shivpuri's Sankhya Sagar Lake, observing that responsibility must first be fixed for the alleged failure of an earlier ₹111-crore sewerage project.

Hearing a matter concerning the discharge of untreated sewage into Sankhya Sagar Lake inside Madhav National Park, the court termed the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) "shocking" and directed the state to identify officials responsible before seeking additional public funds.

Court Questions Fresh Funding

During the hearing, the SIT submitted a report recommending a fresh allocation of ₹191.24 crore for measures aimed at preventing sewage from entering the lake and improving wastewater management.

The court, however, questioned the rationale behind the proposal, noting that nearly ₹111 crore had already been spent on laying sewer lines and constructing a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), yet the project had reportedly failed to become operational.

The bench observed that seeking fresh funding without establishing accountability for the earlier expenditure was unjustified.

List of Responsible Officials Sought

The High Court directed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Administration Department to appear personally on July 27 with all relevant records in a sealed cover.

The court also sought a detailed list of officials allegedly responsible for the failed project and indicated that the issue of approving any fresh budget would only be considered after accountability had been established.

Recovery from Guilty Officials

During the proceedings, the state's counsel informed the court that if any officials were found responsible during the investigation, the government would initiate action to recover the financial loss incurred in the project from them.

The bench emphasized that public money could not be repeatedly spent on the same project without fixing responsibility for previous failures.

Former Official Asked to Respond Independently

The court also declined to accept an affidavit filed by former official Alka Upadhyay through the government's counsel.

It directed that she must present her defence either personally or through her own legal representative, instead of being represented by the state.

Questions Over Administrative Inaction

Madhav Tiger Reserve Deputy Director Hari Om, who was present during the hearing, informed the court that information regarding former officials was being collected.

The bench responded that the issue was not limited to past officials, but also concerned the continuing environmental damage to the lake. It questioned why no action had yet been initiated against officials currently responsible for monitoring the project.

The court granted the officer 15 days to initiate appropriate action.

Municipal Officer Pulled Up

The court also questioned Shivpuri Municipal Council Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) Yashwant Rathore, who produced photographs showing sewage flowing directly into Sankhya Sagar Lake.

When asked about monitoring reports, the CMO reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. The court observed that responsibility could not simply be shifted to subordinate officials, including the sanitary inspector.

The CMO assured the bench that he would personally supervise future monitoring of the sewage management system.

Next Hearing on July 27

The matter will now be heard on July 27, when the Additional Chief Secretary is expected to submit the complete project records along with the list of officials allegedly responsible for the failed implementation.

The High Court is also expected to consider whether criminal proceedings and financial recovery should be initiated against those found accountable for the alleged wastage of public funds.