Karnataka misses 34% tap target, CAG finds

This audit examined the implementation and effectiveness of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Karnataka for the period 2019-20 to 2023-24, assessing whether the mission met its objective of providing safe drinking water to every rural household.

Who it concerns: Government of Karnataka, specifically the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) across seven selected districts.

What the auditor found

• 34% of targeted households (24.52 lakh) did not have Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) as of November 2024.
• State received only ₹11,189 crore against an allocation of ₹24,819.48 crore (45% utilization) from the Centre.
• Community contributions were negligible, with only ₹22.57 crore collected out of an expected ₹1,594.90 crore.
• Fund utilization for water quality monitoring declined from 50% in 2019-20 to 2% in 2023-24.
• None of the 31 district-level or 48 taluk-level laboratories were equipped to test for Arsenic.
• Independent audit testing found water quality met required standards in only 2 of the 28 test-checked villages.
• In one instance, ₹60.41 lakh was spent on a project that was abandoned midway, failing to provide water to 435 households.
• District Water and Sanitation Missions failed to conduct the mandated 12 meetings in 2019-20 and 2023-24.
• CAG noted deficiencies in planning, execution, financial management, water quality assurance, and post-implementation sustainability.

Also in the document

• CAG reported that the State was yet to provide tap connections to 24.52 lakh households (34% of the target) even after the initial mission period ended in March 2024.
• CAG found that independent testing showed water quality met safety standards in only 2 out of 28 villages checked.
• CAG noted that the State failed to utilize 55% of the central funds allocated for the mission, receiving only ₹11,189 crore out of ₹24,819.48 crore.
• CAG identified that no district or taluk level laboratory in the State was equipped to test for Arsenic contamination.