Indian Bureaucracy, New Delhi, May 08, 2025| Shri Kaushal Raj Sharma IAS (UP 2006), presently on inter cadre deputation has been appointed as CEO – Delhi Jal Board (order dt 06.05.2025), Government of NCT.
The importance of Shri Sharma’s appointment and the urgency of his transfer to Delhi, can be judged by the fact that the Central Government’s approval for his inter-cadre deputation was granted on the same date as his appointment as CEO of the Delhi Jal Board, i.e. May 6, 2025. Previously, he served as Secretary to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, a position he took on two weeks prior to his current appointment.
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB), is responsible for water supply and sewage management in Delhi. It plays a critical role of providing water for over 20 million residents by channeling water from various sources like river Yamuna, Bhakhra Storage, Upper Ganga Canal & Groundwater. Of late the department has become a politically sensitive entity for the Delhi government irrespective of the political party, as Water, an essential resource, makes the DJB’s performance highly visible, with shortages or quality issues often sparking public protests and media scrutiny.
Political tensions, particularly between the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), exacerbate the situation, as disputes over Yamuna water allocation from BJP-governed Haryana lead to mutual accusations of mismanagement. The DJB’s financial challenges, with alleged debts of ₹71,000-₹80,000 crore and past corruption probes, invite opposition criticism, intensifying political rivalries. BJP has inherited AAP’s free water policy, providing 20 kiloliters monthly to households, is popular but contentious, with critics arguing it strains DJB’s finances. Administrative conflicts between the then AAP-led government and the Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the central BJP government, further politicised DJB operations, as seen in 2024 disputes over crisis management. Infrastructure issues, such as leaky pipelines and thousands of daily complaints, fuel public frustration, which parties exploit during elections. For instance, BJP’s protests against water shortages and AAP’s promises to regularise DJB workers highlight the department’s electoral significance. The DJB’s challenges are compounded by its dependence on inter-state cooperation and aging infrastructure, making it a focal point for blame during crises. As a result, the DJB remains a high-stakes department, where operational failures and policy decisions carry significant political consequences, shaping public perception and influencing Delhi’s volatile political landscape.
IndianBureaucracy.com wishes Shri Kaushal Raj Sharma the very best.
