Assam Government Suspends Jal Jeevan Mission Activities Amid Quality Concerns
Guwahati, Assam – The Assam government has announced a temporary suspension of all activities under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) across the state due to concerns over quality issues and failure to meet project deadlines.
The directive, signed by Kailash Karthik N., Secretary to the Government of Assam and Mission Director of JJM, has enforced a “standstill period” for all ongoing schemes under the mission, effective immediately. This decision impacts Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers, contractors, and other officials involved in JJM projects.
The government’s order cited repeated delays by contractors in completing the Single Village Schemes within the stipulated six-month timeframe, with multiple extension requests pointing to inadequate project management and oversight. Additionally, the Public Health Engineering Department highlighted that Third Party Inspection Agencies failed to fulfill their quality assurance responsibilities effectively.
To address these issues, the government has ordered a comprehensive audit of both ongoing and completed projects. The audit aims to identify any deviations, evaluate contractor performance, and determine the causes of the delays. “The objective is to ensure that all projects meet the standards set by Jal Jeevan Mission, the Government of Assam, and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India,” the order stated.
During the suspension, all construction work will be halted until further notice. Contractors have been directed to secure all unused materials, such as pipes, tanks, and steel rods, with full responsibility for their safety.
The government has also instructed authorities to expedite documentation for projects that are completed but pending formal handover to the Panchayat and Rural Development Department or Water User Committees. District authorities have been urged to speed up the process for schemes in the trial phase.
The Assam government emphasized that the suspension would not affect the functioning of projects that are already operational, ensuring uninterrupted service delivery. However, the halt of new and ongoing works could impact the state’s efforts to achieve the Jal Jeevan Mission’s goal of providing piped drinking water to rural households.
