Tendering Shadows – Part II: The Power Insider — Rite Water Solutions and the Vishwas Pathak Connection

X: @vivekbhavsar

Editor’s Preface

Following the publication of Part I — “Tendering Shadows: How Maharashtra’s Solar Pump Scheme Risks Becoming a Cartel’s Playground”, Mr Vishwas Pathak issued a detailed email denying any conflict of interest and alleging that the reporter’s intentions were “mala fide.” He also warned of legal action if Part II were released.

In keeping with journalistic fairness, TheNews21 has included Mr Pathak’s complete version and documented his responses in full. This continuation of the investigation examines the overlapping roles of state-owned power-company directors and private contractors, raising questions of transparency and governance that remain squarely in the public interest.

Inside the Network

Documents and insider data reviewed by TheNews21 indicate that one private firm, Rite Water Solutions (India) Pvt Ltd, has emerged as a recurring name in state-funded water-and-energy projects. The company has secured multiple contracts from agencies including MEDA, the State Water & Sanitation Mission, and power utilities linked to the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) Holding Company.

According to data shared by a participant in the Magel Tyala Krushi Pump Yojana tender process, Rite Water’s footprint extended beyond its traditional drinking-water niche into solar-pump supply—an area typically dominated by hardware manufacturers. This raised eyebrows among other bidders, who alleged that eligibility clauses were written in ways that narrowed competition.

“The same two or three companies keep surfacing under different joint-venture names. Smaller firms are pushed aside through technical filters,” said one tender participant, requesting anonymity for fear of blacklisting.

Crossroads of Public and Private Roles

Mr Vishwas Pathak, a senior advocate and long-time BJP functionary, currently serves as Independent Director on the boards of MahaGenco, MahaTransco, MahaDiscom and MSEB Holding Co. Ltd — the quartet that anchors Maharashtra’s power sector.

Corporate filings accessed by TheNews21 show that Mr Pathak and his son, Mr Omkar Pathak, hold equity in Rite Water Solutions (India) Pvt Ltd.  While such investment is not illegal, questions have persisted over potential conflict of interest when a director in state-owned power utilities simultaneously holds shares in a private company receiving contracts from those or allied agencies.

Pathak’s Response and Allegations

In an email reply dated 10 October 2025, Mr Pathak described TheNews21’s enquiry as “blackmailing tactics with a view to tarnish my reputation.”

He wrote that the investigation was “mala fide apart from being baseless,” and alleged that its purpose was “to malign my image and that of the political party which I am associated with.”

Mr Pathak confirmed that he and his son are minority shareholders in Rite Water Solutions, insisting they play no role in management or day-to-day operations. He stated that all mandatory disclosures under the Companies Act have been filed, that he has “recused myself from the proceedings” whenever Rite Water-related matters came before any power-company board, and that all awards to the firm were through “a transparent, open and competitive public tendering process.”

Also Read: Tendering Shadows: How Maharashtra’s Solar Pump Scheme Risks Becoming a Cartel’s Playground

He further claimed the reporter (Vivek Bhavsar) “visited my office with some other motive.” The reporter maintains that the meeting occurred as part of routine political-beat coverage at the BJP office, in the presence of another journalist, and that no discussion concerning the investigative email took place.

Mr Pathak concluded his message by cautioning that if any article “maligns or tarnishes or demeans my image,” he would initiate civil and criminal proceedings for defamation.

Documents and Disclosure Gaps

While Mr Pathak emphasises transparency, TheNews21’s review of filings on the MCA portal shows that Rite Water’s list of significant shareholders and directors has changed repeatedly over recent years, coinciding with its expanding order book.  The overlap between tender-winning entities and former state-linked officials continues to blur the line between public service and private enterprise.

Multiple industry insiders confirm that board-level recusals are rarely disclosed publicly, leaving citizens dependent on trust rather than verifiable minutes.  The absence of easily accessible RTI portals for utilities such as MahaDiscom and MSEB Holding further weakens scrutiny.

The Unanswered Question

At the heart of this investigation lies a simple principle: when taxpayers’ money funds infrastructure, every stage—from tender drafting to contract execution—must be beyond suspicion.  Whether recusals alone are sufficient firewalls in cases of overlapping interests remains a question only full public disclosure can answer.

Right to Reply

In response to TheNews21’s questionnaire, Mr Vishwas Pathak, Independent Director on the boards of Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd (MahaGenco), Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Co. Ltd (MahaTransco), Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd (MahaDiscom) and MSEB Holding Co. Ltd, denied any conflict of interest or wrongdoing.

Mr Pathak confirmed that he and his son hold minority shareholding in Rite Water Solutions (India) Pvt Ltd but stated that neither of them is involved in the company’s management or operations.  He said all statutory declarations and disclosures under the Companies Act, 2013 have been duly filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and that, as an Independent Director, he has “recused myself from the proceedings” whenever matters related to Rite Water were discussed by any of the state-owned power companies.  According to him, all contracts awarded to Rite Water Solutions were through “a transparent, open and competitive public tendering process.”

In his email, Mr Pathak alleged that the reporter’s enquiries were “mala fide and intended to malign my image and that of my political party,” describing the reference to an upcoming Part II as “blackmailing tactics.”  He also claimed that the reporter “visited my office with some other motive,” which the reporter categorically denies, stating that the visit was part of routine political coverage in the BJP office, witnessed by another journalist.  Mr Pathak added that he reserves the right to initiate civil and criminal proceedings if any publication “maligns or tarnishes” his image.

TheNews21 has included Mr Pathak’s response in full and in context in the interest of fairness and transparency.

Editor’s Note / Methodology

This investigation draws on information provided by a small beneficiary of the Magel Tyala Krushi Pump Yojana tender process who had direct access to allocation details of participating companies and the number of solar pumps awarded.  The source shared internal data and supporting documents that were subsequently cross-checked with company statements, market disclosures, and publicly available procurement records to the extent possible.

The data forming the basis of Part I was not obtained under the Right to Information Act but through an industry insider who participated in the process.  TheNews21 has independently verified the authenticity of key details before publication.  An RTI has now been filed with MahaDiscom seeking official confirmation of company-wise allocations.

This report is published solely in the public interest, to promote transparency and accountability in public procurement, without any intent to defame or malign any individual or institution.  TheNews21 affirms that all reporting in this series adheres to journalistic standards of fairness, verification, and the public’s right to know.