18 of 33 fluoride-affected villages lack defluorination units, CAG finds

This audit examined the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Madhya Pradesh for the period 2019-20 to 2023-24, focusing on planning, execution, fund management, and water quality monitoring.

Government of Madhya Pradesh, specifically the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and MP Jal Nigam.

• Only 69% of rural households in Madhya Pradesh had Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) compared to the national average of 80%.
• CAG found that 1.19 million private/own source tap connections were incorrectly reported as JJM beneficiaries on the E-Jal Shakti portal.
• Water quality testing was inadequate, with Jal Nigam labs conducting only 11-19% of prescribed tests and State Labs 22-48%.
• CAG noted that 1.62% of funds earmarked for water quality monitoring were diverted to construction activities.
• Liquidated damages were not recovered from contractors for delayed works.
• CAG identified 'wasteful expenditure' due to arbitrary shifts from Single Village Schemes to Multi Village Schemes without proper hydrogeological studies.
• Community financial participation was near-zero, burdening the State and Centre with additional costs.
• CAG found that 7 out of 28 inspected sites were non-functional despite being marked as completed.

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