A number of MPs on Thursday sought an investigation into the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the government’s flagship Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), The Indian Express has learnt.
The demands were raised during an informal meeting, called by Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, on the concerns raised by the MPs during a discussion on the ministry’s Demand for Grants for the financial year 2025-26.
The meeting came days after the government issued an order for 100 inspection teams to fan out across 135 districts in 29 states and Union Territories to review the work under the scheme — amid concerns over cost overruns and alleged lapses in award of tenders. The JJM aims to supply drinking water through individual tap connections to rural households
While Patil invited 60 Lok Sabha members, only 17-18 members turned up to the meeting at the Parliament House Annexe building, sources said
The ministry did not issue an official statement. Patil posted on X that all MPs presented “constructive” suggestions.
“…Chaired a meeting with MPs from various political parties after discussion on the demand for grants of the Jal Shakti Ministry in Parliament today. All the MPs presented constructive suggestions and emphasized the spirit of collective effort for water conservation,” he said.
During the meeting, several MPs are learnt to have demanded a probe into the JJM. Among them was Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) president and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal,
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“Center should monitor Jal Jeevan Mission scam… Had a detailed discussion with the Minister on the matter of Jal Jeevan Mission scam in Rajasthan and demanded that while effectively monitoring the scam at the Central Government level, an FIR be lodged with the CBI on behalf of the Ministry,” Beniwal said in a post on X.
Independent member Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, is also learnt to have brought up the matter.
Amra Ram of the CPI (Marxist), who represents Sikar, raised the issue of water availability in his constituency and adjoining areas. He said Rajasthan should get its share of Yamuna water “that is due for over 40 years”.
Ram told The Indian Express that authorities must investigate the alleged irregularities and also ensure people receive drinking water.
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Patil, it is learnt, assured MPs that the government has not only deployed teams of officials to inspect the Jal Jeevan work, it has also suspended several officials across states.
An Expenditure Secretary-led panel had recommended a 46 per cent cut in the Jal Shakti Ministry’s demand of Central funding of Rs 2.79 lakh crore for four years ending December 2028, amid concerns about some states approving inflated work contracts to provide tap water connections to rural households under the JJM.
Since the launch of the scheme in 2019, 6.4 lakh water supply schemes with a total estimated cost of Rs 8.29 lakh crore — more than double the scheme’s original outlay of Rs 3.60 lakh crore (Centre: Rs 2.08 lakh crore, States: Rs 1.52 lakh crore) — have been approved by the states.
To meet the additional requirement of funds, the Jal Shakti Ministry had approached the Expenditure Finance Committee, headed by the Expenditure Secretary, for approval of Rs 2.79 lakh crore in additional central funding over and above `2.08 lakh crore. However, the EFC recommended only Rs 1.51 lakh crore as the Central share, 46 per cent lower than the amount sought by the Ministry.
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On May 21, The Indian Express reported that an investigation of the data uploaded by states and UTs on the Jal Jeevan Mission dashboard showed that a crucial change in tender guidelines three years ago lifted the check on expenditure, and led to cost escalations. This resulted in additional costs totalling Rs 16,839 crore for 14,586 schemes, an increase of 14.58 per cent from their estimated cost.
During Thursday’s meeting, Jal Shakti Ministry officials made presentations about various schemes including Jal Jeevan Mission and Namami Gange. It is learnt that the ministry will send written answers to the MPs who raised queries about central schemes. The ministry will likely organise a similar meeting with the MPs during the Monsoon session of Parliament.
