Parliament Question: Irregularities under JJM in Maharashtra

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 706 ANSWERED ON 23/07/2026 IRREGULARITIES UNDER JJM IN MAHARASHTRA 706. SHRI BAJRANG MANOHAR SONWANE: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of complaints regarding delays, incomplete works, poor quality of execution and alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Beed district, Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof; (b) the total number of drinking water supply schemes sanctioned in the said district along with the total funds approved, released and expenditure incurred along with the percentage of funds utilised, year and scheme-wise; (c) whether the Government has received any complaints regarding bogus or non-functional works, defective pipelines, fake household tap connections, financial irregularities or misappropriation of public funds, if so, the details thereof along with the inquiries conducted and the action taken against the concerned officials, contractors and implementing agencies; and (d) whether the Government proposes to conduct an independent technical and financial audit of all JJM works in Beed district and if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures being taken to ensure transparency, accountability, quality construction and uninterrupted drinking water supply to every eligible rural household? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) Drinking Water is a ‘State’ subject, and hence, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation & maintenance of drinking water supply schemes lies with State/UT Governments. The Government of India supports the States by providing technical and financial assistance. As such, grievances/ complaints, etc. inter alia including sub-standard work and financial irregularities under JJM are handled and disposed of at the State/ UT level. Page 1 of 3As informed by State government of Maharashtra, Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran Beed division has 26 schemes, out of which there are 25 schemes under JJM and 01 is under NRDWP and is handed over to the Zilla Parishad, Beed. The works of 25 water supply schemes under the JJM in Beed district are in progress. The implementation has been delayed to some extent due to reasons such as non-availability of land required for construction by the Gram Panchayat within the stipulated time, delay in approvals for railway and road crossings proposals in time, obstruction by local farmers due to crops in the fields and non-availability of funds required for the work on time, etc. Out of the above 26 schemes, the work of none of the schemes has been of poor quality or no such complaint received about any scheme. Further, the State has informed that in Zilla Parishad Beed, complaints regarding delay in execution of works, incomplete works, poor quality of execution and alleged irregularities in the implementation of JJM have been received from time to time at various levels. Such complaints are examined by the concerned authorities and, wherever required, inspections/inquiries are conducted. (b) As informed by State government of Maharashtra, in Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran, Beed, a total of 26 schemes are implemented with a total cost of Rs. 408.1908 crore and till now a total fund of Rs. 216.6884 crore has been disbursed on these schemes. Further under Zilla Parishad Beed, a total of 1273 drinking water supply schemes have been sanctioned under JJM with an approved cost of Rs. 1,451.28 crore, against which, an expenditure of Rs. 805.63 crore has been incurred so far. As reported by the state, the year-wise expenditure incurred under JJM in Beed district is as follows: Financial year Expenditure (Rs. in crore) 2021-22 6.9871 2022-23 127.3596 2023-24 507.4287 2024-25 113.5309 2025-26 50.32 (c) As informed by State government of Maharashtra, complaints regarding non-functional works, defective pipelines, household tap connections and alleged financial irregularities under JJM have been received from time to time. Such complaints are examined through inquiries conducted by the concerned Deputy Engineers and Division Level Committees. It has also been informed that an Inquiry Committee was constituted and deputed by the State Government to inquire into the complaints received regarding the alleged irregularities in the tender process under the Zilla Parishad, Beed, and to submit its report. As per the findings of the said Inquiry Committee, departmental disciplinary proceedings have been initiated and are presently underway against the concerned officers in respect of the irregularities observed in the tender process. Also, minor defects and deficiencies observed during inspections were rectified by the Page 2 of 3concerned implementing agencies/contractors within the stipulated time. Further, the schemes are subjected to Third Party Inspection by Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd. The inspection reports are reviewed and necessary corrective measures are undertaken before release of funds, thereby ensuring compliance with the prescribed quality standards and guidelines. (d) The State has informed that as per JJM guidelines third-party inspection agencies are appointed by State to maintain quality aspects, who submit reports to implementing agencies with suggestion of corrective measures regarding quality, which are complied by the implementing agency through their contractors. State nodal officers are appointed suo moto by State for monthly visit of schemes for inspection of social and quality aspects. In addition, Government of India regularly reviews the implementation with respective State Governments through review meetings and visits of multi-disciplinary teams to highlight the areas to strengthen implementation and monitoring of the mission. Furthermore, ground verification of schemes has been enhanced by strengthening the monitoring framework for National WASH Experts (NWEs) through a revised and comprehensive checklist emphasizing quality of execution. The reports of NWEs are shared with States through JJM-IMIS for taking corrective measures. ***** Page 3 of 3