Report No. 4 of 2026-Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on State Finances for the year 2024-25

What did the audit examine?

The audit examined the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Madhya Pradesh from 2019-20 to 2023-24, focusing on planning, execution, monitoring, and outcomes of the scheme.

Who / what it concerns

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

What the auditor found

• Systemic planning deficiencies including absent or delayed baseline surveys leading to inaccurate assessments and cost escalations
• Community engagement was superficial with near-zero financial participation (community contributions)
• Only 27% of Multi-Village Schemes and 58% of Single-Village Schemes completed as of September 2024
• Flawed estimations causing cost escalations, avoidable expenditures, inflated tenders, and richer specifications
• Non-issuance of physical completion certificates in SVSs with 7 of 28 inspected sites found non-functional
• Liquidated damages not recovered from contractors
• Only 0.38% of funds earmarked for water quality monitoring were spent, with 1.62% diverted for construction
• Water quality testing conducted at only 58-99% (district labs), 22-48% (State Lab), and 11-19% (Jal Nigam WTP) of prescribed frequency
• 11,94,063 private/own source tap connections incorrectly included in JJM FHTCs in the portal

Points worth noting

• Only 60.90 lakh rural households covered by December 2024 out of a target of 1.12 crore FHTCs
• 13.53 lakh households already had tap connections before JJM began
• Madhya Pradesh lagged with 69% coverage vs national 80%
• Only 18 of 33 fluoride-affected villages in Dindori District had Electrolytic Defluorination Units by December 2021
• 11,94,063 private/own source tap connections incorrectly counted as JJM FHTCs
• Water quality monitoring funds: only 0.38% spent, 1.62% diverted for construction
• Only 11-19% of prescribed water quality tests conducted at Jal Nigam WTP labs