 Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Aug 11: A question raised in the Rajya Sabha by BJP MP Engineer Gulam Ali Khatana has brought renewed focus on the implementation, financial utilisation and monitoring of Jal Shakti schemes in Jammu and Kashmir, with the Centre reply revealing a significant gap between funds allocated and funds actually drawn under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
In its response to Khatana's question, the Ministry of Jal Shakti stated that Rs 18,514.25 crore had been allocated to Jammu and Kashmir under the first phase of the Jal Jeevan Mission, of which only Rs 8,646.48 crore was drawn.
The figures raise questions over the pace of implementation and utilisation of funds, particularly when thousands of rural households are yet to receive functional tap-water connections.
Rs 18,514 crore allocation, Rs 8,646 crore drawn
The Centre said that under JJM, central funds are released to States and Union Territories, while district-wise allocations are maintained by the respective governments.
For JJM 2.0, Jammu and Kashmir has been allocated Rs 905.74 crore for 2026-27, against which Rs 116.06 crore has so far been released.
However, the reply does not provide a comprehensive district-wise account of how much was sanctioned, released and actually utilised across Jammu and Kashmir-an issue that assumes significance given Khatana specific demand for district-wise financial details.
3.60 lakh rural households still without tap-water coverage
The government said that when JJM was launched in August 2019, only 5.76 lakh rural households, or 29.9 per cent, in Jammu and Kashmir had tap-water connections.
As of July 18, 2026, the number had risen to 15.64 lakh households, or 81.27 per cent, out of 19.24 lakh rural households.
While the increase represents substantial expansion, the figures also mean that around 3.60 lakh rural households are yet to be covered with functional tap-water connections.
The Centre has extended the JJM timeline up to December 2028 to cover the remaining households.
Pending contractor payments: key details remain unanswered
Khatana had specifically sought contractor-wise pending payments, reasons for delays and timelines for clearance.
The Centre, however, stated that project-wise details and records of arrears pending for contractors are maintained at the State/UT level.
This leaves an important accountability question unanswered: How much is actually pending, in which districts, for how long, and why?
Without a public district-wise picture of pending liabilities, it remains difficult to independently assess whether payment delays are affecting the completion and quality of water-supply projects.
Irregularities and inspections: Centre cites monitoring mechanism
On complaints, sub-standard work and financial irregularities, the Ministry said that such grievances are handled and disposed of at the State/UT level.
It also said that States/UTs conduct monthly inspections of schemes, with the inspections assessing construction quality, adherence to timelines, functionality and resolution of issues. Inspection reports are uploaded on the JJM-IMIS portal.
But the parliamentary reply does not spell out how many complaints were received, how many irregularities were established, what action was taken against responsible officials or contractors, or how much money was recovered, if any.
That gap makes the demand for greater transparency particularly relevant.
PMKSY projects and Shahpur Kandi funding
The reply also stated that three irrigation projects under PMKSY-AIBP have been completed in Jammu and Kashmir, benefiting Pulwama, Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.
No Central assistance was released for these projects during the last five years, the government said. |
