Parliament Question: Jal Jeevan Mission and financial accountability

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2632 ANSWERED ON 16/03/2026 JAL JEEVAN MISSION AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 2632. SHRI UJJWAL DEORAO NIKAM: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Central Government is aware of reports of financial irregularities and poor quality of works under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in certain States in 2025 and if so, the details of cases detected and action taken thereon; (b) present status of coverage under JJM in terms of provision of safe drinking water, free from Arsenic and Fluoride contamination, across all rural habitations in the country, State/UT-wise; and (c) whether any special monitoring or third-party audit mechanism has been put in place to ensure financial accountability and long-term sustainability of JJM assets, particularly in water-stressed districts and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) As per the data reported by all States/ UTs, a total of 18,790 complaints have been received by States/ UTs from different sources such as media reports, suo-moto cognizance, references from public representatives, citizens, grievance portal, etc. regarding financial irregularities and poor quality of works under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). As reported by the States/ UTs, action has been taken in 1,468 cases involving 635 Departmental Officials, 1,020 contractors, and 155 Third Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs). The departmental officials involved in irregularities are undergoing administrative action, including suspension, departmental inquiries, issuance of charge sheets as per established procedures. In the case of contractors, actions taken include blacklisting or recommendation for blacklisting, termination of contracts, debarment, forfeiture of earnest money deposits and imposition of penalties, depending on the nature of violation. With regard to TPIAs, the concerned officials have been removed from empanelment, and in other cases, show-cause notices have been issued and recoveries initiated. Furthermore, States/ UTs have been repeatedly advised to adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward any financial, procedural, or quality-related violations. All States/ UTs have been advised to ensure that every complaint is duly examined, field verification is carried out promptly, and all required disciplinary, contractual, and legal actions are taken without exception to uphold transparency and accountability of the mission. Page 1 of 2(b) Under JJM, States/ UTs have been advised to plan and implement piped water supply schemes based on alternative safe water sources for the villages with water quality issues on priority. It was envisaged that planning, implementation and commissioning of piped water supply scheme based on a safe water source in such habitations may take time, therefore, purely as an interim measure, States/ UTs have been advised to install community water purification plants (CWPPs) especially in Arsenic and Fluoride affected habitations to provide potable water to every household to meet their drinking and cooking requirements. As reported by States/ UTs on JJM-IMIS as on 08.03.2026, there are 314 Arsenic and 244 Fluoride affected rural habitations in the country where the piped water supply schemes compliant to JJM standards are yet to be commissioned. However, all these habitations have been reported to be provided with safe drinking water through CWPPs or other interim measures. The State/UT- wise status of tap water connections under JJM, including those in quality affected habitations, is available in public domain and is accessible through JJM dashboard at: https://ejalshakti.gov.in/jjmreport/JJMIndia.aspx (c) Under JJM, technology is utilized to ensure transparency and accountability. Physical and financial progress is reported on JJM–Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) and all tap water connections provided, are to be linked with Aadhar number of the head of the household. Provision has also been made for transparent online financial management through Public Financial Management System (PFMS). Further, geo-tagging of assets created under JJM has also been enabled to facilitate effective monitoring. In addition, Mobile App, Water Quality Monitoring Information System (WQMIS), etc. are also being used for monitoring purposes. Further, third-party functionality assessments are also carried out by the Government of India across the States/UTs and reports are shared with the States/ UTs for taking corrective action, if any. To ensure long term sustainability of infrastructure created, quality material and quality construction is being ensured through third party inspection before making payment. ***** Page 2 of 2