Jal Jeevan Mission

General Studies Paper-2

Context

The Jammu & Kashmir Assembly’s House Committee is currently probing allegations of irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the region.

Background

• During the Budget Session, concerns were raised over the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Jammu & Kashmir like;
• Use of substandard materials
• Incomplete and abandoned water supply schemes
• Corruption and misuse of public funds
• Failure in providing tap connections despite funds being released
• As a result, a House Committee was established, and it issued a public notice inviting citizens and stakeholders to report malpractices.

What are the Governance Challenges?

• Lack of Transparency and Accountability:
  • Absence of robust audit mechanisms.
  • Weak convergence between local panchayats and implementing agencies.
• Administrative Capacity Gaps:
  • Shortage of trained manpower in remote blocks.
  • Poor maintenance of assets post-implementation.
• Political Interference:
  • Contractors with political links allegedly bypass due process.
  • Quality control is often ignored in favour of cost-cutting.

Way Forward

• Independent Social Audits: Engage NGOs, civil society, and citizen groups for real-time audits and grievance redress.
• Real-time Monitoring Dashboards: Enhance public access to performance data at the panchayat and block level.
• Strengthening Gram Panchayats: Provide technical and financial training to local bodies to manage and maintain infrastructure.
• Expand low-cost water testing facilities to detect contamination early.