18 of 33 fluoride villages lack defluorination units, CAG finds

This performance 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 1,194,063 private/own source tap connections were incorrectly included in the JJM portal as mission beneficiaries.
• Water quality testing was inadequate, with Jal Nigam Water Treatment Plant labs conducting only 11-19% of prescribed tests, and State Labs conducting 22-48%.
• CAG noted that 1.62% of funds earmarked for Drinking Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance (DWQM&S) were diverted for construction activities.
• Liquidated damages were not recovered from contractors, and physical completion certificates were issued for schemes that were not fully functional (7 out of 28 inspected sites were non-functional).
• Implementation Support Agencies (ISAs) were paid for activities not performed, and Village Action Plans (VAPs) were found to be redundant or wasteful.
• CAG recommended strict adherence to DWQM&S frameworks, proper recovery of liquidated damages, and accurate reporting of FHTCs on the E-Jal Shakti portal.

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