RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh assembly witnessed an uproar on Thursday over alleged discrepancies in the Jal Jeevan Mission. During the question hour, ruling party MLA and former minister Ajay Chandrakar raised concerns about ongoing work, alleging corruption. In response, PWD Minister Arun Sao assured strict action against contractors and officials if irregularities were confirmed.
Chandrakar specifically questioned instances where water infrastructure was constructed in villages lacking water sources. He demanded village-specific details and asked what actions would be taken against those responsible for such irregularities.
The minister stated that contractors would receive only 70% of their payment until project completion. He also assured strict measures against officials who approved infrastructure in areas without water sources.
The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide tap connections to 50.03 lakh households across 19,656 villages. Currently, work is in progress for 44.37 lakh households, with a completion deadline set for 2024. The scheme has achieved 80.3% of its domestic connection target. Sao revealed that infrastructure was set up in 653 villages without water sources and 3,254 villages with insufficient water availability.
He confirmed that work had been completed in 5,291 villages. Additionally, the Central Government's extension of the Mission until 2028 allows for further implementation.
Chandrakar pointed out that the Detailed Project Reports for affected villages lacked provisions for water sources, calling the situation "horrible." He demanded strict action against negligent officers and contractors.
The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy for irregularities and assured appropriate consequences. Sao further confirmed that Rs 13,000 crore had been utilized from the allocated Rs 26,000 crore budget.
Meanwhile, the opposition Congress staged a walkout, protesting what they called unsatisfactory responses to MLA Savitri Manoj Mandavi’s queries regarding Nal-Jal connections in Kanker's water-scarce villages. Opposition members, dissatisfied with the minister’s replies, exited the Assembly.
Sao reported that connections had been provided in 355 villages, water was available in 84 villages, and pending connections remained in 7 villages.
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, along with Congress legislators, walked out in protest. Later, speaking to the media, Baghel criticized the government, stating, "The truth is that the situation across the state is dire. No work is being done under the Mission. MLAs are having to ask the same department the same questions repeatedly. Even ruling party MLAs are dissatisfied, which speaks volumes about the department’s condition."
Baghel further remarked, "The minister is coming to the Assembly unprepared, which reflects his negligence towards the public."
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