This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Jal Shakti's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2054, answered on July 31, 2025, regarding the status of water supply schemes in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra.
The Ministry clarifies that drinking water is a state subject, with the Government of India providing technical and financial assistance to state-led initiatives. As reported by the state on JJMIMIS, out of 695 schemes proposed for Hingoli district, 236 have been completed. The state government projects achieving 100% Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) coverage by December 2026.
To ensure water quality, the state government employs third-party inspection agencies at various stages of project execution. Action has been taken against contractors who have delayed project completion, with 210 contractors penalized and fines totaling Rs. 91.24 lakh imposed, of which Rs. 13.26 lakh has been recovered.
A "Concise Handbook for Monitoring the Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households" is available publicly, detailing water quality testing protocols, frequency, and parameters. The handbook can be accessed at https:jaljeevanmission.gov.insitesdefaultfileswqhandbookformonitoringwqofpiped drinkingwater.pdf.
Regarding reports of chloride contamination, the state reported that 745 water samples were analyzed for chemical parameters in June 2025, and none were found to be contaminated with chloride.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources and sanitation.
Jal Jeevan Mission: A Government of India initiative to provide safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households by 2024.
Hingoli district of Maharashtra: A district in the state of Maharashtra, India, where water supply schemes are being implemented.
SHRI AASHTIKAR PATIL NAGESH BAPURAO: The member of parliament who asked the question related to status of water supply schemes
SHRI V. SOMANNA: Minister of State for Jal Shakti who provided the answer in the Lok Sabha.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question about water supply schemes was raised.
FHTC: Functional Household Tap Connection, a component and target of Jal Jeevan Mission.
Gram Panchayats: Village level local self-government institutions in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2054
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
STATUS OF WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES
2054. SHRI AASHTIKAR PATIL NAGESH BAPURAO:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether only 180 out of total 616 water supply schemes proposed in Hingoli district of
Maharashtra have been completed so far;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the current status of the remaining 436 schemes, the reasons
for delays and the projected timelines for their completion;
(c) the measures taken/ being taken by the Government to ensure quality compliance including
fines imposed on contractors;
(d) whether multiple villages in Hingoli are receiving chloride-contaminated water according to
media reports of June, 2025;
(e) if so, the details thereof and the immediate and long-term remedial steps taken/being taken by
the Government to provide safe potable drinking water; and
(f) whether there is a scheduled water quality testing protocols and funding support for such
affected Gram Panchayats and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI V. SOMANNA)
(a) & (b) Drinking water is a State subject. The power to plan, design, approve and implement
drinking water supply schemes lies with the State Government. The Government of India supports
the efforts of the State by providing technical and financial assistance.
As reported by the state on JJM-IMIS, out of 695 schemes proposed for Hingoli district in
Maharashtra, 236 schemes have been completed. Further, the state has planned to achieve 100%
FHTC coverage by December 2026.
c) As reported by the state, to ensure the quality of water supply schemes, third-party inspection
agencies are appointed that conduct the inspection at various stages of the works. In cases where
contractors have delayed the completion of water supply schemes allotted to them, action has been
taken against such defaulting contractors. As such 210 contractors have been penalized, and fines
amounting to Rs. 91.24 lakh have been imposed. Out of this, Rs. 13.26 lakh has been recovered so
far from the concerned contractors.
Page 1 of 2(d) to (f) A “Concise handbook for Monitoring the Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply
to Rural Households” has been provided that describes in detail the schedule, frequency and
parameters for testing at various location of the water supply systems including Households. The
handbook is in public domain and can be accessed using the weblink:
https://jaljeevanmission.gov.in/sites/default/files/wq/handbook-for-monitoring-wq-of-piped-
drinking-water.pdf
As reported by the state, a total of 745 water samples were analyzed for chemical parameters in
June 2025 in the district. Upon testing, none of the samples were found to be contaminated with
chloride.
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