Jammu, Mar 5: During a session on Wednesday, several members of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly pointed out alleged irregularities in the Jal Jeevan Mission, calling for the establishment of a House committee to investigate the claims.
Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Rana, assured the Assembly that disciplinary actions would be taken against officials who provided misleading information and announced an inquiry into the suspected collusion between contractors and the department in a particular constituency.
In response to a question from Dr. Mohammad Shafi Wani during the Question Hour, the minister stated that 38 schemes for the Beerwah constituency were approved, with an estimated budget of Rs 113.19 crore. He further elaborated that 24 of those schemes had been completed at a cost of Rs 64.29 crore, while the remaining 14 were still under construction, providing details on expenditures and areas where water supply had already been established.
However, Wani expressed his dissatisfaction with the minister’s answers.
Other legislators, including Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat, National Conference’s Ali Mohammad Dar, AAP’s Mehraj Malik, BJP’s Baldev Raj, and Congress Legislative Party leader G A Mir, raised further questions, alleging government “inefficiency and mismanagement” in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
They claimed many areas, especially rural ones, still lacked adequate water supply. The minister responded by stating that recent rainfall had benefited water source recharge, and efforts were being accelerated to complete outstanding projects.
Dar, who had posed a separate inquiry, disputed the minister’s assertions, stating, “If this information is accurate, I will resign. It is completely false. Action must be taken against those misleading the House.”
He garnered support from other members advocating for accountability among officials. The minister affirmed that necessary actions would be initiated against those who supplied misleading information.
Congress leader G A Mir labeled the Jal Jeevan Mission as a “significant scam” in Jammu and Kashmir and called for a comprehensive investigation. “Even a BJP legislator has expressed concerns. A House committee must be formed,” he stated.
Nizamuddin Bhat pointed out that a former department secretary had raised concerns about possible irregularities within the mission. “A House committee should be established to investigate these allegations,” he insisted.
AAP MLA Mehraj Malik voiced similar concerns, alleging rampant corruption within the mission and advocating for an inquiry, stating, “Officials are misleading the House with incorrect information.”
In response to the call for a House committee, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather recommended that members address the issue during discussions on the department’s grants. (Agencies)
