Guwahati, 5th October: The Assam government has officially issued an order to temporarily halt all activities under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) across the state, following growing concerns over quality lapses and non-compliance with project deadlines.
The directive, signed by Kailash Karthik N., Secretary to the Government of Assam and Mission Director of JJM, mandates a “standstill period” for all ongoing schemes under the mission, effective immediately. This decision affects officials at various levels, including Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers, and contractors involved in JJM.
According to the official communication, several contractors failed to meet the six-month deadline for the completion of Single Village Schemes under JJM. Multiple deadline extension requests raised concerns regarding inadequate project management and oversight. The Public Health Engineering Department also noted that Third Party Inspection Agencies, tasked with quality assurance, did not effectively fulfill their duties.
As a result, a comprehensive audit of all ongoing and completed projects has been ordered, focusing on identifying deviations, assessing contractor performance, and determining the root causes behind delays. “The objective is to ensure that all projects meet the standards set by Jal Jeevan Mission, the Government of Assam, and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India,” stated the letter.
During the standstill period, all construction activities are to be halted until further notice. Contractors have been instructed to secure any unused materials, such as pipes, tanks, and steel rods, with full responsibility for their safety and preservation.
The directive also urges immediate finalization of documentation for projects completed but pending formal handover to the Panchayat and Rural Development Department or Water User Committees. For schemes in the trial phase, district authorities are instructed to expedite the process.
The Assam government has clarified that projects already operational will continue to deliver services without interruption. However, the temporary suspension of new and ongoing works may impact the state’s efforts to provide piped drinking water to rural households, a key objective of the Jal Jeevan Mission.