Guwahati, October 6: The Assam government has suspended all activities under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), citing serious lapses in quality control and delays in project timelines. The decision has sparked outrage from the opposition Congress party, with Assam Congress President Bhupen Borah calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged corruption surrounding the project.
At a press conference, Borah expressed grave concerns over the halt of the JJM, a central initiative aimed at providing safe drinking water to every household in Assam. He criticized the state government for its handling of the mission, stating that significant delays by contractors—who failed to meet the six-month completion deadline for Single Village Schemes—are the result of poor oversight and mismanagement.
The directive to suspend the mission was issued by Kailash Karthik N., Secretary to the Government of Assam and Mission Director of JJM. This decision has raised alarms about the mission’s overall management, particularly given its importance to providing access to clean water.
“The people of Assam are suffering due to this government’s incompetence,” Borah said, accusing state officials of corruption. He alleged that many contractors, who claimed 60% or more completion of their projects, are now facing scrutiny over quality and quantity issues. “We demand a CBI inquiry into the corruption in JJM,” he added.
Borah further criticized alleged extortion practices within the project’s contracting system, claiming contractors were forced to pay commissions ranging from 8% to 15% to ministers and officials. “If a contractor is executing work worth Rs 2 crore, they might have to pay Rs 16 lakh in commission, which is unacceptable,” he noted.
Questioning the state government’s priorities, Borah took a dig at Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, remarking, “It’s not ‘Ghar Ghar Jal,’ it’s ‘Ghar Ghar Nal.’ Why is it not your priority to ensure work is completed? This shows a lack of control over your department.”
The suspension comes as a shock, given the substantial investments the Assam government made in promoting the JJM. According to Borah, only 10.75% of the state’s population has received water connections under the mission, raising concerns about the fate of both the contractors and the mission’s future. “With work halted, the remaining 60% of the funds will likely never come. Fifty lakh people may now face water shortages—who will take responsibility?” Borah questioned.
The backdrop to the controversy began on October 5, when the Assam government issued an official order halting all JJM activities, citing ongoing concerns regarding quality control and missed deadlines. While the government defends the move as necessary to address these issues, Borah and the Congress party demand a full investigation and accountability.
“We are prepared to escalate our demands for a CBI inquiry, even visiting their office if necessary,” Borah concluded, emphasizing the Congress party’s determination to hold the government accountable for the alleged mismanagement of the Jal Jeevan Mission.