{
  "id": 18142237,
  "title": "Khandre pulls up JJM engineers over lack of knowledge on water budgeting",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/khandre-pulls-up-jjm-engineers-over-lack-of-knowledge-on-water",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-04T15:56:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/khandre-pulls-up-jjm-engineers-over-lack-of-knowledge-on-water-budgeting/article71665686.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar B. Khandre criticized Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) engineers for their insufficient understanding of water budgeting during a progress review meeting in Mysuru on Wednesday. When asked about water budgeting, the engineers struggled to provide an answer, which prompted the Minister to express his dissatisfaction and emphasize the importance of comprehending this fundamental concept. Khandre explained that water budgeting involves evaluating the number of borewells and open wells in villages, groundwater levels, availability of alternative water sources, and estimating future water demand, considering population growth and requirements of various establishments. Officials should also assess the sufficiency of surface water sources to ensure safe drinking water for rural households for the next 30 years, he said. Highlighting the State government's expenditure of ₹67,000 crore on drinking water schemes, Khandre questioned the effectiveness of such investments if water did not reach households. He directed Deputy Secretaries to personally inspect villages to verify the Jal Jeevan Mission's progress and ensure water supply to every household. While traveling between Mandya and Mysuru, Khandre met with Mandya Zilla Panchayat CEO K.R. Nandini and directed officials to identify 50 villages with significant public movement for constructing bus shelters and open more Akka Cafes to empower women's self-help groups. The Minister also addressed the issue of illegal e-Swathus in Indavalu Gram Panchayat, ordering the cancellation of those issued fraudulently and reviewing lake encroachments, where 155 out of 417 lakes in Mandya district had encroachments covering a total of 319 acres.",
  "summary": "Minister explains concept after officials fail to answer his question at review meeting in Mysuru",
  "key_points": [
    "Jal Jeevan Mission engineers lacked understanding of water budgeting.",
    "Minister Eshwar B. Khandre criticized their knowledge during progress review.",
    "Khandre emphasized importance of water budgeting for rural water supply."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}