"The Jal Jeevan Mission was meant to improve the lives of millions of people by providing access to safe drinking water. Instead, it has become yet another example of how corruption and inefficiency can derail even the most well-intentioned schemes. Both the state and central governments must be held accountable for this mess."
--- Assam Engineering College Professor
The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), a flagship programme aimed at providing safe and adequate drinking water to rural households across India, has encountered significant turbulence in Assam, as the central government has abruptly discontinued funding for the project. This move comes on the heels of a comprehensive audit, allegedly initiated to scrutinise the quality of work completed under the scheme. However, the suspension of funds has left contractors, who have long finished their projects, in financial disarray, with unpaid bills amounting to staggering sums.
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Inaugurated on August 15, 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission was designed to offer tap water connections to every rural household by 2024. Assam, which has completed 81.9% of its target, has connected over 58 lakh households to piped water. Yet, the sudden withholding of funds by the central government has shocked stakeholders across the state.
The official reasoning for the halt in payments is the alleged delay in completion of deadline and substandard quality of work performed by contractors. The decision has raised eyebrows, particularly since over 80% of the project has been successfully completed in the state. Contractors, many of whom have been awaiting payment for months, are now facing the grim prospect of further delays as the state scrambles to conduct quality inspections.
A notification from PHE on October 3 declared a standstill period and quality audit for all Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) schemes. The decision stems from delays in Single Village Schemes due to non-compliance by contractors and poor oversight by Third Party Inspection Agencies. Concerns have also been raised regarding the performance of DPR Agencies.
Speaking to GPlus, an official from PHE on conditions of anonymity said, "The review aims to identify reasons for project delays and assess the quality of work, ensuring adherence to JJM standards. The standstill period will remain until further notice."
One contractor, speaking anonymously, shed light on a system of kickbacks that has long plagued the project. "While securing tenders, we are required to give a percentage of the total project estimate to the state government. This amount is then passed along to the central government. However, the state has allegedly stopped forwarding the Centre’s share, which has led to this funding freeze," the contractor revealed.
He further added, "The state government owes us a huge sum, but now they’re using excuses like quality checks to delay payments. We've met all the project criteria, and these new issues have only arisen due to the funding shortage. To get our bills cleared, we’ll likely have to pay even more."
Compounding the issue are reports of political cronyism within the project. Multiple sources within the Public Health Engineering Department (PHE) have alleged that several of the projects under the JJM in Assam were awarded to relatives and close associates of Jayanta Malla Baruah, the Minister for Public Health Engineering.
An official from the PHE, who requested anonymity, confirmed these claims. "A significant number of projects were handed to the minister's relatives. When projects are distributed in such a manner, quality concerns are inevitable," the official said.
The same source also noted that contractors are owed approximately ₹700 crore, with only ₹200 crore expected to be released in the near future. This financial strain has led many to suspect that the audit is merely a tactic to buy time while the state government scrambles to gather the remaining funds.
This latest controversy is not the first time the Jal Jeevan Mission has encountered issues in Assam. Previous media reports have highlighted concerns over poor infrastructure and inadequate water supply in several districts. In some areas, the tap water provided under the scheme has been found to be contaminated, raising questions about the efficacy and oversight of the project.
Despite the ambitious goals set by the JJM, the implementation has been marred by delays and allegations of corruption. A report published earlier this year revealed that many households in remote parts of Assam continue to rely on traditional water sources, despite being listed as "connected" under the scheme. The report criticised both state and central authorities for failing to monitor the project adequately and for allowing contractors to cut corners in the construction of water infrastructure.
For the contractors who have completed their work and are now awaiting payment, the situation is dire. Many have invested heavily in the project, purchasing materials and employing large workforces to meet the government's deadlines. Now, with payments indefinitely delayed, they face mounting debts and the prospect of financial ruin.
One contractor, expressing his frustration, said, "This audit has provided the state with an excuse to delay payments further. We've been working on this project since the beginning and have always met the standards set by the government. The sudden scrutiny is nothing more than a ploy to buy time while they sort out their financial mess."
Another contractor warned that without immediate intervention, many businesses would face bankruptcy. "The state and central governments need to come to a mutual agreement. If they don’t, we’ll suffer huge losses," he said.
As the crisis deepens, there are growing calls for greater transparency in the handling of funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Concerned citizens have urged both the state and central governments to publicly disclose the results of the audit and provide a clear timeline for when contractors can expect to be paid.
A professor from Assam Engineering College criticised the lack of accountability in the project. "The Jal Jeevan Mission was meant to improve the lives of millions of people by providing access to safe drinking water. Instead, it has become yet another example of how corruption and inefficiency can derail even the most well-intentioned schemes. Both the state and central governments must be held accountable for this mess."
With over 80% of the project completed, there is still hope that the Jal Jeevan Mission can fulfil its promise to the people of Assam. However, unless the ongoing issues with funding and quality control are addressed, the project risks becoming yet another unfinished government initiative.
For now, the contractors are left in limbo, with no clear indication of when they will be paid or when the audit will be completed. Meanwhile, rural households across Assam continue to wait for the promise of clean, reliable drinking water to be fulfilled.
In the words of one frustrated contractor, "We’ve done our part, but now we’re being made to suffer because of the government's mismanagement. It’s time for them to step up and take responsibility for the mess they’ve created."