A substantial number of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) schemes across Assam, specifically 4,185 projects, are currently non-functional. This widespread disruption is largely attributed to the state government's inability to disburse an estimated ₹2,808 crore owed to contractors responsible for implementing these crucial water supply projects.
Contractors involved in the central government's flagship mission, which aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024, have consistently appealed to the state administration for the clearance of their long-pending bills. However, these pleas have largely gone unanswered, reportedly due to a severe paucity of funds.
The current predicament follows a period of significant operational challenges. A central team's field visit to Assam's JJM sites prompted the issuance of a 'standstill' order in October, halting various ongoing works across the state. While this order was subsequently lifted in March, it notably excluded 'retrofitting' and 'revised retrofitting' schemes, leaving a segment of the mission's work in limbo.
The Jal Jeevan Mission was rolled out in Assam in 2019 with initial robust financial backing from the central government, which bore the majority of the funding burden. However, a subsequent revision in central guidelines saw a tightening of funding allocations, shifting a greater financial responsibility onto the state. This change has evidently strained Assam's coffers, contributing to the current payment backlog.
The implementation irregularities and delays in JJM schemes have not escaped political scrutiny. During the recently concluded budget session of the state assembly, the state government faced sharp criticism from MLAs regarding the mission's execution. The ongoing financial difficulties pose a significant hurdle to achieving the mission's objectives, potentially leaving thousands of rural households without access to promised tap water connections.
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