Only 1% of ₹2,043.79 crore community contribution collected for Jal Jeevan Mission

It assessed whether the scheme achieved its goal of providing functional household tap connections (FHTC) to rural households and how funds were utilized.

Who it concerns: Maharashtra State Government, specifically the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, and the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme.

What the auditor found

• Only 24.64% of the 51,560 water supply schemes (WSS) were completed, with 75.35% still in progress as of March 2024.
• Total expenditure was ₹26,410.51 crore, which was significantly higher than the initial estimate of ₹13,668.50 crore due to poor planning and scope changes.
• Expenditure increased by ₹9,608.87 crore due to pending bills, additional work, and scope expansion.
• ₹7.62 crore was identified as invalid expenditure.
• Delays in submitting utility certificates and audited accounts affected the timely release of funds from the Central and State governments.
• Only 26.50% of villages (10,677 out of 40,297) were certified as 'Har Ghar Jal' (Every Home Water) at the state level.
• Water quality testing infrastructure was inadequate, with the state laboratory not established and sub-district laboratories lacking accreditation.
• CAG recommended ensuring reliable water sources before approving schemes, converting private/self-funded connections to functional FHTC, and strengthening internal controls to prevent invalid expenditure.

Also in the document

• CAG found that in 13 out of 24 sampled villages, Village Action Plans were prepared without the required resolution from the Gram Panchayat.
• Two water supply schemes were approved without water treatment plant provisions, leading to the supply of non-potable water.
• The JJM dashboard showed 37.89 lakh connections in six sampled districts, including 9.64 lakh private/self-funded connections that do not meet the functional FHTC criteria.
• Only 1% (₹21.72 crore) of the total ₹2,043.79 crore community contribution was collected as of October 2024.