**Executive Summary**
This document answers questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Dhule district, Maharashtra. It confirms land identification for key infrastructure components before tendering and award of works. It also states that 339 Rural Piped Water Supply (RPWS) schemes were implemented in Dhule district under JJM in 2022. The document outlines third-party inspections and quality checks undertaken.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Land Acquisition:**
* Land identification and possession for Water Treatment Plants, Master Balancing Reservoirs (MBRs), and Elevated Storage Reservoirs are required before tendering and award of works as per JJM guidelines.
* Land identification requires a resolution from the Gram Panchayat confirming availability of land.
* ESR land identification can be carried out at the time of commencement of work.
* ESR locations can be subsequently changed based on village resolutions due to local requirements.
* **Project Implementation & Monitoring:**
* 339 RPWS schemes were implemented in Dhule District under the JJM in 2022.
* Technical details of JJM projects are maintained at the state level.
* Third-party inspection and certification are mandatory before payment for all works under JJM.
* States are empowered to empanel third-party inspection agencies (TPIAs) to check quality of work and materials.
* Government of India undertakes ground-truthing of JJM schemes through Central Nodal Officers (CNOs), the National JJM Team, and National WASH Experts (NWEs).
* **Quality Assurance and Accountability:**
* Ground-truthing assesses multiple parameters including quality of works, functionality of schemes, and effectiveness of Third-Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs).
* The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has advised States/UTs to take appropriate administrative and legal action, wherever necessary and to furnish detailed scheme-wise responses.
* Action has been taken against 1 Departmental Officials and 5 contractors out of 154 complaints in Maharashtra.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government of Maharashtra**
* **Impact:**
* Responsible for planning, designing, approving, and implementing drinking water supply schemes/projects.
* Required to report the identification of land for key infrastructure components prior to tendering and award of works.
* Responsible for maintaining technical details of JJM projects.
* Empowered to empanel third-party inspection agencies (TPIAs).
* **Action Required:**
* Continue implementation of JJM projects and ensure adherence to guidelines, including land identification.
* Maintain detailed records of project progress and technical specifications.
* Act on identified issues and non-compliance, as advised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
**Implementation agencies (M.J.P/Z.P)**
* **Impact:**
* Responsible for land identification and procedure of possession of land required for Water Treatment Plants and Master Balancing Reservoirs.
* **Action Required:**
* Complete land identification procedure by obtaining resolution of all related Gram Panchayat, confirming availability of land.
**Contractors**
* **Impact:**
* Subject to quality checks and third-party inspections.
* Responsible for maintaining the quality of work and materials used.
* **Action Required:**
* Ensure compliance with JJM guidelines and quality standards.
* Cooperate with third-party inspections and address any issues identified.
* Subject to penalization in case of complaints.
Key Entities Referenced
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): A national program to provide tap water supply to every rural household.
Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation: The department provides financial, policy guidance and technical assistance for implementing drinking water supply schemes under JJM.
Dhule District, Maharashtra: The specific geographical area of focus for the Jal Jeevan Mission schemes discussed in the context.
Third-Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs): Agencies empowered to check the quality of work executed under JJM.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: Union Ministry responsible for Jal Jeevan Mission.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2231
ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026
JAL JEEVAN MISSION IN DHULE DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA
2231. DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA DINESH:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether identification and possession of land for key infrastructure components such as Water
Treatment Plants, Master Balancing Reservoirs (MBRs) and Elevated Storage Reservoirs under the
prescribed guidelines of the Jal Jeevan Mission are required to be completed prior to tendering and
award of works and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of the schemes approved under Jal Jeevan Mission in 2022 in Dhule district,
Maharashtra including contractor name, approved cost, accepted tender amount and stipulated
completion period, project-wise;
(c) the current physical and financial status of each such project indicating component-wise progress
and funds utilised;
(d) whether changes in location or land approvals for major components were granted after award
of contracts or commencement of work in any of these projects and if so, the details thereof
indicating the date and authority approving such changes; and
(e) whether any review, third-party inspection, technical audit or action has been initiated to inquire
into procedural lapses and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI V. SOMANNA)
(a) to (e) Drinking water is a State subject. The power to plan, design, approve and implement
drinking water supply schemes/projects lies with State Government. Government of India, in
partnership with States/UTs is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission, since August, 2019, to make
provision of tap water supply to every rural household. Under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the
Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation provides financial, policy guidance and technical
assistance to the States and Union Territories for implementing their drinking water supply schemes.
As reported by the state government of Maharashtra and as per existing guideline of Jal Jeevan
Mission (JJM), identification and possession of land for key infrastructure components such as
Water Treatment Plants, Master Balancing Reservoirs (MBRs) and Elevated Storage Reservoirs are
required to be completed prior to tendering and award of works.
Page 1 of 2Further as reported by the state, under National Jal Jeevan Mission, Land required for construction
of key infrastructure components was identified prior to tendering by obtaining resolution of all
related Gram Panchayat, confirming availability of land. Land identification and procedure of
possession of land required for Water Treatment Plants and Master Balancing Reservoirs is
completed by the Implementation agency (M.J.P/Z.P). In case of Elevated storage Reservoirs
(ESRs) land identification is carried out at the time of commencement of work. However, in some
villages, ESR locations are subsequently changed based on resolutions of the concerned Village
Panchayats due to local requirements and site suitability.
The state has also reported that there are total 339 RPWS (11 schemes by MJP & 328 schemes by
ZP) in Dhule District under the Jal Jeevan Mission during the year 2022. All the technical details of
projects/schemes implemented under JJM is maintained at state level.
For all works under JJM, third party inspection and certification before payment is mandatory. For
the purpose, States have been empowered to empanel third party inspection agencies (TPIA) to
check the quality of work executed by the agencies, quality of materials used for construction and
quality of machinery installed in each of the scheme. The criteria for selection and Terms of
References (ToR) of TPIAs to be empaneled by the States, is laid down in JJM Operational
Guidelines. The details of quality checks done by TPIAs is also maintained at State Level.
Government of India has undertaken ground-truthing of JJM schemes across States/UTs through
Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) appointed by DoPT, the National JJM Team, and National WASH
Experts (NWEs). These visits assessed multiple parameters, including quality of works,
functionality of schemes, appropriateness of technical design, implementation progress,
effectiveness of Third-Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs), and grievance redressal mechanisms.
Pursuant to the findings, this Department has advised all States/UTs to take appropriate
administrative and legal action, wherever necessary, and to furnish detailed scheme-wise responses
through the JJM-IMIS portal.
As reported by the State of Maharashtra, action has been taken against 1 Departmental Officials and
5 contractors, out of 154 complaints.
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