Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), aimed at providing tap water to every household in the villages of 12-gram panchayats within the Petlawad janpad, has reportedly fallen prey to corruption.

Residents are voicing their frustrations as plans to deliver clean and safe drinking water remain stuck in limbo, with many projects incomplete or poorly executed. Neha Meena, Jhabua collector, responded to the allegations, stating, “If there are irregularities in the JJM scheme, then people should tell us the names of those gram panchayats and villages and we will get it investigated and physically verified.”

This statement comes amid growing concerns from the community regarding the lack of progress in the implementation of the scheme, which is managed by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department through contractors.

In Jhaknawada gram panchayat, for instance, a multi-crore tap water scheme has been left in disarray. The contractor responsible for the project has reportedly abandoned the site, leaving the water tank incomplete and the necessary infrastructure, such as tap stands and cement roads, in poor condition.

Residents have expressed their dismay, noting that the pipeline laid under the JJM has been damaged due to road construction by the Public Works Department, with no action taken against the responsible contractor. Shailesh Baghel, PHE SDO, claimed, “We have done quality work as per the estimate. There is no such gram panchayat left where the work of the JJM scheme is incomplete.”

However, many villagers remain sceptical, citing the lack of proper evaluation and oversight that has allowed contractors to submit fake bills and declare projects complete on paper. TS Bamnia, PHE engineer, supported Baghel’s statements, insisting that the work has been completed and handed over to the gram panchayats. Yet, with nearly two years passing since the scheme’s initiation, residents are left questioning how the government’s multi-crore initiative will benefit them, especially during the summer months.


Rahul Dev

Cricket Jounralist at Newsdesk

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