U.P. reports highest number of complaints over ‘shoddy’ Jal Jeevan Mission work

Nearly 17,036 complaints have been received by States/UTs on “irregularities” and “poor work quality” in projects initiated under the Jal Jeevan Mission, with about 84% coming from Uttar Pradesh alone.

Action had been taken against 621 Departmental Officials, 969 contractors, and 153 Third Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs), the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, said in response to a query in the Rajya Sabha.

The total number of complaints was based on reports tabulated by 32 States/ Union Territories, and included a range of sources, including “… media reports, suo-moto cognisance, references from public representatives, citizens, and grievance portals,” his reply noted.

Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of complaints and constituted about 84% of the total complaints received over financial irregularities and poor quality of work under the JJM.

“The state reported that it had initiated enquiries in all 14,264 complaints received from various channels, including suo moto cognisance, and reports have been submitted in 14,212 cases, while enquiries are under process in 52 cases. The state has further reported that action was taken in 434 cases which involved 171 department level officials, 120 contractors and 143 TPIAs, while the remaining complaints have either been addressed or found irrelevant,” the Minister noted. After Uttar Pradesh, the states with the most complaints are Assam (1,236) and Tripura (376).

The Jal Jeevan Mission (Har Ghar Jal), aims to provide every rural household with potable water. Since the mission began in 2019, about81% of rural households have reported connections to clean tap water, though there have been several reports of households — across several states — having connections on paper but no consistent water supply.