In the much talked about Rs 900 crore Jal Jeevan Mission scam of Rajasthan, ACB has simultaneously raided 15 locations in 4 states.
Jal Jeevan Mission is in discussion these days. At some places the water tank built under this scheme collapsed the very next day of testing and at other places leakage is common. There have been reports of corruption in this scheme from different states. The raids being conducted by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Rajasthan and several arrests deepen these allegations.
Rajasthan ACB has conducted raids till Delhi, Bihar and Jharkhand. Investigating agency ACBSimultaneous raids were conducted at 15 locations in 4 states including that of retired IAS Subodh Aggarwal. 9 people have been detained. Come, let us understand what is Jal Jeevan Mission Scheme? With what objective was it started? How did the common man get the benefit? Where has it reached till now? Why is this scheme in controversy?
What is Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)?
Jal Jeevan Mission (Jal Jeevan Mission / Water from tap to every house) is a major program of the Government of India, the focus of which was to provide adequate, safe and regular drinking water from tap to every household in rural areas. Adequate, safe and regular drinking water has to be provided.
This mission came into effect from 15 August 2019 and the initial proposal to implement it through state governments was decided, in which no changes have been made. This is marked as a flagship scheme of PM Narendra Modi.
With what objective was it started?
The initial goal of this program was that in the next five years i.e. by the year 2024, tap water would be provided to every house in the country from remote villages to mountains and valleys. Due to this work not being completed, the Government of India has now once again extended this deadline to December 2028. Meaning, the time has been extended for four more years.
How were the common people to get the benefit?
The benefits of Jal Jeevan Mission were not limited to just providing connections, but its aim was to impact many everyday aspects of rural life. After the completion of this scheme, the Central Government had decided to provide various benefits to the common people. The primary objective was to free women and children from the compulsion to carry water from long distances and save time. Reducing the risk of water-borne diseases through safe water is also an important goal.
While making the plan, it was believed that when people’s time is saved, it will be beneficial in some form or the other in education and employment. Employment generation through operation-maintenance at the local level was also part of the set goal. Instead of just laying pipes, the supply should be regular, adequate and with quality standards, this is also an important goal set by the government.
Where did this plan reach?
According to government documents, the total number of rural households was estimated at 19.36 crore. Till now, under the Har Ghar Nal Yojana, tap water has reached 15.81 crore houses i.e. more than 81 percent of the houses. That is, the Mission has achieved huge coverage in the documents and only a little more than 18 percent of the houses have not been able to reach tap water. For this reason the government has extended the deadline till 2028. Which is very wonderful to listen and read.
ЁЯЪиRaids from Delhi, Jaipur to Jharkhand, ACB action in Jal Jeevan Mission scam, clamped down on IAS Subodh Aggarwal – Full news:https://t.co/OMKw5MaxD8#Delhi #DelhiNews #jaljivanmission #ACB #BREAKINGNEWS@TV9DelhiNCR pic.twitter.com/XfcJeY9vkU
тАФ TV9 Delhi NCR (@TV9DelhiNCR) February 17, 2026
Different types of shortcomings are coming to light
Jal Jeevan Mission was a much publicized, ambitious scheme but as soon as it reached the Center to the states and districts, it was sabotaged by officials. Its news is common on media outlets across the country. Some of the complaints that have come forward are as follows.
- Connection on paper, but no water: The connection is visible, there is a tap pipe till the house but the supply is irregular. The pressure is too low or the water source is not sufficient. At some places the supply is not sustained after trials.
- Quality of work: Leakage, frequent breakage due to poor quality of pipelines, joints, tap fittings. Complaints about non-compliance of specifications in construction are common.
- water quality: In some areas, issues like fluoride, arsenic, salinity, iron have come to light from ground water sources. This clearly means that the treatment and monitoring of the water being supplied is weak. Delays in testing, reporting and remediation are common.
- Allegations of irregularities: Fake experience certificates, bribery, rigging in measurements, irregularities in payments тАУ such allegations have come to light in different cases in many states. ACB investigation and raids are being conducted on similar allegations in Rajasthan.
- Operation-Maintenance and Accountability: It has been built at many places, but is not running because maintenance funding, local operator, electricity bill, repair process is not clear and active. The capacity and monitoring system of rural institutions and committees is also very weak.
MLA surrounds Jal Shakti Minister
Recently, in Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh was cornered by an MLA of the ruling BJP on this issue. This matter went quite viral and was resolved somehow. The MLA says where will he go regarding the problems of the people. It has to be kept in mind that Har Ghar Jal Yojana is like Sanjeevani in Bundelkhand. If this scheme becomes successful in this entire area of тАЛтАЛUP-MP, then it will be considered a big thing because this is an area of тАЛтАЛthe country where people are actually seen yearning for every drop of water during summer. Due to lack of water, even animals and birds suffer death during summer.
Total more than 17 thousand complaints
If we look at the data of the Jal Shakti Ministry, it is found that more than 17 thousand complaints have been received in the last three years. These include complaints like poor construction, leakage in the water tank, collapse of the newly constructed tank. A water tank built at a cost of Rs 65 lakh in Nagra Dang village of Mahoba district of UP made headlines due to leakage and cracks during testing.
Separate water tanks built in two villages of Sitapur district collapsed during testing last year. The case of collapse of water tank in Lakhimpur Kheri also came to light last year itself. Complaints about bursting of pipelines, broken taps and dirty water are very common. It is not that complaints are coming only from UP. Many states including Assam, Karnataka, West Bengal, Maharashtra are ahead in this matter.
Also read: Angry God, inauspicious sign, interesting beliefs about solar eclipse from China to Greece.
