Srinagar, Sep 22: A Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly House Committee has recommended a high-level inquiry into alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), including fixing responsibility on officials, engineers, contractors and suppliers.
The committee, headed by Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi, found that 63 percent of the 3,253 water supply and retrofitting schemes examined under the mission were non-operational despite expenditure of around ₹7,000 crore.
The committee report, tabled in the Assembly, flagged deficiencies in planning, execution, monitoring and maintenance of the schemes and questioned the functioning of various administrative and monitoring mechanisms created for implementation of the mission.
The panel also raised concerns over the replacement of galvanized iron (GI) pipes with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes in Jammu Division, stating that the decision was taken without proper revision of detailed project reports and had significant financial implications.
According to the report, HDPE pipes worth around ₹600 crore were procured, while field inspections found pipes lying scattered or abandoned at several locations, including Poonch, Udhampur, Reasi and Budgam.
The committee also found cases where civil works were undertaken without adequate assessment of water-source sustainability, while some distribution pipelines were laid above ground, exposing them to damage and theft.
It recommended comprehensive audits of JJM and retrofitting schemes, technical validation of water sources before commencement of civil works, independent laboratory testing of pipes, stronger inventory management and greater involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Pani Samities.
The panel further recommended geo-tagged verification of functional household tap connections and infrastructure, measures to prevent sub-letting of contracts and mechanisms for timely completion of pending schemes.
It recommended that where inquiries establish omissions or commissions warranting criminal investigation, the government should refer such cases to investigating agencies and take action in accordance with law. [KNT]
