Chandigarh 13 July 2025 - The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Chandigarh unit, has demanded a court-monitored CBI or SIT probe into two major scams – the community center booking scam and the ?75 crore Manimajra 24x7 water supply project.
Handing over a memorandum to UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Thursday, the AAP delegation led by Chandigarh President Vijaypal Singh said that there are serious questions about the functioning of the civic administration, which is characterized by rampant corruption, deliberate manipulation of public order, and misuse of taxpayers' money. Also, the party demanded an immediate comprehensive overhaul of Chandigarh's water supply system, as the problem is not limited to Manimajra.
Fraud and exploitation of the poor in community center bookings
According to AAP, a major scam has come to light in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation's Community Center Booking Branch. The party claims that fake booking slips, fake stamps and signatures of fake councilors were used to extort money from families who were legally entitled to free bookings.
"Economically Weaker Section (EWS) families had to pay Rs 10,000 to Rs 55,000 for such a community centre, which they should have got free," Vijaypal Singh said. "It's not just economic corruption — it's open loot from the poor."
The party further alleged that full cash payments were made to unauthorized people by promising them false discounts and fake documents were issued. AAP says the scam is organized and involves booking wing officials, brokers and political patrons, and could be worth more than ?100 crore.
Question on Smart City Water Project
AAP has also exposed serious irregularities in the ?75 crore Manimajra 24x7 water supply smart city pilot project.
The party said:
• Contamination and poor quality of water in homes,
• Delays in tender process and incomplete infrastructure,
• No project lead from October 2024,
• 48 million loans remain unhedged, which increases financial risk.
• Misuse of money without accountability and no progress.
"This is not a pilot project, but a pilot disaster," Singh said. “No zone is getting proper 24x7 water, but payments are being made, tenders are missing and no one is accountable.”
Not limited to Manimajra, entire Chandigarh is facing water problem
AAP also clarified that Chandigarh's water crisis is not limited to just one area. Water pressure is low in many sectors and villages, water supply is irregular, and drinking water quality is poor.
"We are only talking about Manimajra. This is happening all over Chandigarh — in sectors, colonies, villages. Water supply is not reliable and no long-term plan is in sight," Singh said.
The party has demanded a comprehensive audit of water infrastructure across the city, an emergency improvement plan and a clear water supply schedule to ensure transparency and fairness.

AAP demands
In its memorandum, AAP has made the following demands:
1. CBI probe into community center booking scam.
2. Immediate seizure and security of all physical and digital booking records.
3. Suspension of all officials directly or indirectly involved.
4. CBI or SIT investigation under supervision of senior judge in 75 crore water project.
5. Order not to release Smart City Fund till independent review of pilot project.
6. Audit and action plan for solving water supply problems in the entire city.

"It's not just money, it's about people's rights"
Describing these scams as a "double attack on public trust and essential services", Vijaypal Singh said that corruption should not be allowed to flourish in the name of smart city.
"It's not just a matter of lost money — it's a matter of rights," he said. "Families should get clean water. The poor should get respect. These scams should be investigated at the highest level and the city's infrastructure should be fixed immediately."
The UT administration is yet to give an official response. According to the sources, the preliminary vigilance check has already started at the booking branch.
Previous memorandum ignored: Vijaypal Singh recalled that the Aam Aadmi Party had also submitted a memorandum in February 2025, demanding CGHS benefits to UT employees, simplifying or cashless medical reimbursement process for employees suffering from life-saving diseases, stopping exploitation of contract workers, construction of indoor stadium for volleyball players and increasing old-age pension to 3,000. had gone But so far no action has been taken on these issues.