What did J&K House panel find in Jal Jeevan implementation?

The Jammu & Kashmir House Committee, after a year-long investigation, has exposed significant irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the Union Territory. The 1,252-page report, tabled in the Assembly on September 21, highlights "gross negligence of administrative machinery" and identifies several key issues.

One major concern is the oversight and monitoring breakdown, where the Apex Level Committee responsible for monitoring the JJM failed to fulfill its mandated duties. The report also criticizes the controversial switch from Galvanized Iron (GI) pipes to High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, which was allegedly taken without proper revision of the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) at the lower level. This decision, made in the Jammu Division, has raised concerns and drawn controversy.

The committee further points out the sidelining of Panchayati Raj institutions (PRI), particularly the Gram Panchayats and their sub-committees. Despite JJM carving out a key role for these community institutions, the committee's on-site visits found that these institutions were denied their roles in every aspect of the scheme. This denial of PRI roles facilitated gross irregularities by JJM engineers and contractors on the ground.

Other issues highlighted include the absence of proper planning, supervision, and effective monitoring. The report also mentions misplaced priorities, substandard civil works, and irregularities in laying the pipe network. The department's response records that the execution of the scheme faced substantial changes during the initial two years due to constitutional changes, winters, and COVID-19.

Additionally, there were challenges related to geographical constraints, road connectivity, and the unavailability of local skilled manpower.

In its recommendations, the committee urges the formation of a "High Level Committee" to investigate lapses committed by members of various committees. It also requests an examination of the mechanism followed by the UT-level purchases committee while awarding contracts for procurement of pipes and other materials, with a focus on fixing responsibility for the use of substandard material.