Gurugram: Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Anil Vij has turned the spotlight on his own departments in an unprecedented move, writing to the Chief Minister’s Flying Squad Monday to seek a probe into alleged corruption in the energy and transport departments.
This marks the first time a Haryana cabinet minister has sought external scrutiny of his own departments, signalling deep concerns about systemic graft.
Speaking to The Print Monday, Vij described a “Gadar Raj (reign of chaos)” in his departments, based on his observation since he assumed charge following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) third consecutive win in the state in October 2024.
Vij’s letter to the CM’s Flying Squad—a special police wing under state CID Chief Saurabh Singh which reports directly to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO)—called for surprise inspections at Regional Transport Authority (RTA) offices and power utilities under the Energy Department. The minister has demanded strict action against any officials or employees found guilty, underscoring his frustration with rampant irregularities.
Vij’s decision to invite external scrutiny stems from two primary concerns. First, he has been inundated with requests, often backed by ministers and senior officials, for postings as Motor Vehicle Inspectors (MVIs) in the Transport Department and Chief Electrical Inspectors (CEIs) in the Energy Department.
“I am surprised how posting as MVI or CEI helps keep them well,” Vij told The Print, highlighting requests from employees claiming health issues to seeking these posts. His suspicions were further fuelled by internal inquiries that revealed complaints of corruption linked to these roles.
Second, Vij suspects large-scale corruption in these departments due to their direct public interface, where officials allegedly demand hefty bribes for approvals and certifications.
“Saare ke saare hi chor hain. Main ek chor ko doosre chor ki checking karne ke liye kaise kehta? (All are thieves in these departments. How could I ask one thief to probe another?)” Vij said, justifying his move to reach our to the CM’s Flying Squad for impartial investigations.
To curb further manipulation, he has halted all transfers in his three departments—Energy, Transport and Labour—until the state’s new online transfer policy is fully implemented, a decision he announced via social media last week.
The Print has reached out to Saurabh Singh, an IPS officer of the 1998 batch and an ADGP in Haryana Police, for a comment. This report will be updated if and when he responds.
Vij’s request to the Flying Squad, which operates under the Home Department overseen by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, is notable because in October 2023, Vij had stopped clearing files of the Health Department under him because of the alleged interference of the CMO in his department after a CMO officer presided over a meeting in the department.
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Complaints against MVIs & CEIs
The MVI and CEI posts are at the heart of Vij’s allegations, given their significant public-facing responsibilities and potential for illicit earnings. MVIs are responsible for ensuring vehicles meet safety, fitness, and pollution standards as mandated by the Motor Vehicles Act. They inspect vehicles for registration, insurance and compliance, checking components like brakes, lights and horns.
They have the authority to issue fitness certificates, impose fines or seize vehicles for violations. The role’s discretionary powers make it a hotspot for bribery, as vehicle owners often seek quick approvals or exemptions.
CEIs ensure electrical safety and compliance with the Indian Electricity Rules, particularly for industrial and commercial installations. They inspect electrical setups when industries apply for new connections, verify documentation and investigate electrical accidents.
Their role in approving high-stakes connections for businesses creates opportunities for graft, as approvals can be expedited or manipulated for a price.
Vij’s internal inquiries confirmed complaints of officials in these roles engaging in “ulterior motives”, prompting his call for external intervention.
Haryana’s anti-corruption watchdog
The CM’s Flying Squad is tasked with conducting surprise raids, investigating corruption complaints, ensuring punctuality in government offices, curbing illegal activities, like liquor and mining violations, and monitoring the implementation of state schemes. Led by Saurabh Singh, the squad has a history of uncovering graft in Haryana’s administrative machinery.
Vij’s letter aligns with his reputation for taking a hard stance against corruption. Earlier this month, he ordered a state-wide probe into a work slip scam in the Labour Department, where 11,96,759 labourer receipts were verified between August 2023 and March 2025—a volume he deemed “humanly impossible”.
In Hisar alone, 1,45,582 receipts were verified, with one gram sachiv verifying 84,741 applications in three months, including 2,646 in a single day. Suspecting a scam worth hundreds of crores, Vij suspended guilty officials and halted payments.
“We give a plethora of welfare benefits to the families of construction workers, ranging from fees for studies of children, to cycles for them and many others. These unusual verifications alarmed me,” Vij told The Print.
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
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