Quite a few MPs on Thursday sought an investigation into the alleged irregularities within the implementation of the federal government’s flagship Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), The Indian Categorical has learnt.
The calls for had been raised throughout a casual assembly, referred to as by Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, on the issues raised by the MPs throughout a dialogue on the ministry’s Demand for Grants for the monetary yr 2025-26.
The assembly got here days after the federal government issued an order for 100 inspection groups to fan out throughout 135 districts in 29 states and Union Territories to evaluation the work below the scheme — amid issues over value overruns and alleged lapses in award of tenders. The JJM goals to produce ingesting water via particular person faucet connections to rural households
Whereas Patil invited 60 Lok Sabha members, solely 17-18 members turned as much as the assembly on the Parliament Home Annexe constructing, sources stated
The ministry didn’t challenge an official assertion. Patil posted on X that each one MPs introduced “constructive” ideas.
“…Chaired a gathering with MPs from varied political events after dialogue on the demand for grants of the Jal Shakti Ministry in Parliament right now. All of the MPs introduced constructive ideas and emphasised the spirit of collective effort for water conservation,” he stated.
Throughout the assembly, a number of MPs are learnt to have demanded a probe into the JJM. Amongst them was Rashtriya Loktantrik Social gathering (RLP) president and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal,
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“Middle ought to monitor Jal Jeevan Mission rip-off… Had an in depth dialogue with the Minister on the matter of Jal Jeevan Mission rip-off in Rajasthan and demanded that whereas successfully monitoring the rip-off on the Central Authorities degree, an FIR be lodged with the CBI on behalf of the Ministry,” Beniwal stated in a publish on X.
Impartial member Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, can also be learnt to have introduced up the matter.
Amra Ram of the CPI (Marxist), who represents Sikar, raised the difficulty of water availability in his constituency and adjoining areas. He stated Rajasthan ought to get its share of Yamuna water “that’s due for over 40 years”.
Ram informed The Indian Categorical that authorities should examine the alleged irregularities and likewise guarantee folks obtain ingesting water.
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Patil, it’s learnt, assured MPs that the federal government has not solely deployed groups of officers to examine the Jal Jeevan work, it has additionally suspended a number of officers throughout states.
An Expenditure Secretary-led panel had beneficial a 46 per cent lower within the Jal Shakti Ministry’s demand of Central funding of Rs 2.79 lakh crore for 4 years ending December 2028, amid issues about some states approving inflated work contracts to offer faucet water connections to rural households below the JJM.
Because the launch of the scheme in 2019, 6.4 lakh water provide schemes with a complete estimated value of Rs 8.29 lakh crore — greater than double the scheme’s unique outlay of Rs 3.60 lakh crore (Centre: Rs 2.08 lakh crore, States: Rs 1.52 lakh crore) — have been permitted by the states.
To fulfill the extra requirement of funds, the Jal Shakti Ministry had approached the Expenditure Finance Committee, headed by the Expenditure Secretary, for approval of Rs 2.79 lakh crore in further central funding over and above `2.08 lakh crore. Nevertheless, the EFC beneficial solely Rs 1.51 lakh crore because the Central share, 46 per cent decrease than the quantity sought by the Ministry.
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On Might 21, The Indian Categorical reported that an investigation of the info uploaded by states and UTs on the Jal Jeevan Mission dashboard confirmed {that a} essential change in tender tips three years in the past lifted the test on expenditure, and led to value escalations. This resulted in further prices totalling Rs 16,839 crore for 14,586 schemes, a rise of 14.58 per cent from their estimated value.
Throughout Thursday’s assembly, Jal Shakti Ministry officers made displays about varied schemes together with Jal Jeevan Mission and Namami Gange. It’s learnt that the ministry will ship written solutions to the MPs who raised queries about central schemes. The ministry will doubtless organise the same assembly with the MPs through the Monsoon session of Parliament.