New Delhi, Dec 1 (NationPress) The Jal Shakti Ministry has recorded a staggering 17,036 complaints concerning financial discrepancies and substandard work under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), as disclosed to the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

The Minister of State for Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, stated in a written response, "According to reports from the States/UTs, actions have been initiated against 621 Departmental Officials, 969 contractors, and 153 Third Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs)."

From the data shared by 32 States/UTs, the complaints stem from various sources including media reports, suo moto cognisance, and references from public representatives and citizens. The complaints highlight issues related to financial irregularities and the poor quality of works under JJM, the MoS reported.

Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the state with the highest volume of complaints, accounting for approximately 84 percent of the total regarding financial discrepancies and inadequate work quality under JJM, according to the MoS's reply.

The state has claimed to have launched inquiries into all 14,264 complaints received through various channels, including suo moto cognisance, with reports submitted in 14,212 cases. Meanwhile, investigations are still underway for 52 cases.

In response to these complaints, action has been taken in 434 cases, involving 171 Department-level officials, 120 contractors, and 143 TPIAs, while the remaining issues have either been resolved or deemed irrelevant.

In a separate written statement, Somanna noted that during the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission in 2019, the Government of India approved support for States and UTs with a central budget allocation of Rs 2,08,652 crore.

This approved central fund is expected to be fully utilized by 2024-25. During this timeframe, States/UTs were required to complete the planning, approval, and execution of water supply schemes under the mission, as stated by the MoS.

Therefore, the central financial support is mandated only until March 2024, with any financial liabilities for schemes approved beyond this date to be borne by the respective state governments.

Considering the progress made and ongoing projects, the Finance Minister recently announced the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission until December 2028, with an increased total outlay as per the budget announcements for 2025-26.

"Consequently, a proposal for the continuation of the Jal Jeevan Mission until December 2028 is currently under review by the Department," stated the MoS.