Flood of Irregularities: Just 330 of 3253 JJM schemes scrutinised amid Rs 13,000 Cr scam allegations

Srinagar, Jun 27: The Jal Shakti Department Friday submitted records for 330 schemes to the House Committee constituted to investigate alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).

The submission was made during a review meeting held at the Legislative Assembly Complex in Srinagar.

The meeting was chaired by Committee Chairman Hasnain Masoodi and attended by members Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, Ali Muhammad Dar, Altaf Ahmad Wani, Rajiv Jasrotia, Ranbir Singh Pathania, Tanveer Sadiq, Javaid Riyaz (Bedar), Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, Rafiq Ahmad Naik, Arjun Singh Raju, and Iftikhar Ahmad.

ìThe department submitted records of about 330 out of 3253 total JJM schemes to the House Committee today,î Masoodi told Greater Kashmir. ìMore records are being compiled, and a comprehensive report will be prepared and made public once complete.î

Masoodi said the department is cooperating fully but has sought additional time to submit details for all schemes, including information on coverage and pending works under JJM.

According to officials, each schemeís documentation averages between 200 to 250 pages.

With 3253 schemes, the total volume of paperwork is estimated at 7.3 lakh pages.

Since the committee has requested 18 copies for members and staff, the department indicated that over 1.3 crore pages would be required.

Meanwhile, committee member and Pahalgam MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani (Kaloo) alleged that the department was showing older schemes as newly executed under JJM.

ìSchemes like Dachnipora, Siligam, Tantraypora, and Grendwan in Anantnag district were executed in 2012 under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), but are now shown as completed in 2023 under JJM,î he said. ìYou can check when the tenders were floated.î

Wani also raised concerns about the use of Sinchai (SD) pipelines in high-terrain areas where such installations are not feasible.

ìIf there was no source or water discharge in certain areas, how was a water supply scheme approved?î he said.

Wani said that while the Jal Shakti Department reported 55 percent coverage of rural households by 2022, the actual situation on the ground did not reflect that progress.

The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019, aims to provide every rural household with a functional tap water connection by 2024.

Amid allegations of mismanagement and misuse of funds, the House Committee in J&K has been examining the schemeís implementation since its launch.

The reported expenditure under the scheme in J&K stands at over Rs 7000 crore.

The committee has also sought data from the department on year-wise financial allocations received from the Centre and their utilisation, along with copies of all administrative and technical sanctions, DPRs, tender notices, bid documents, technical evaluations, and related records.

The alleged irregularities first came to light when former IAS officer Ashok Parmar flagged a Rs 13,000 crore scam in JJM.

Political parties including the Congress and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) later raised the issue.