The Assam government has officially ordered a temporary halt to all activities under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) statewide. This decision, fueled by mounting concerns over quality issues and adherence to project timelines, follows increasing speculation about the potential suspension of the mission in the state.
The directive, signed by Kailash Karthik N., Secretary to the Government of Assam and Mission Director of JJM, establishes a “standstill period” for all ongoing schemes under the mission, effective immediately. This order impacts a wide range of officials, including Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers, and contractors associated with JJM projects.
According to the official communication, the performance of several contractors has not met the mandated six-month deadline for completing Single Village Schemes under JJM. The repeated requests for deadline extensions have raised serious concerns regarding project management, oversight, and quality assurance.
The Public Health Engineering Department has also noted that Third Party Inspection Agencies, tasked with ensuring timely and quality project execution, failed to perform their duties adequately. Consequently, a comprehensive audit of all ongoing and completed projects has been initiated to identify deviations in project delivery, assess contractor performance, and uncover the root causes of delays.
“The objective is to ensure that all projects adhere to the standards established by the Jal Jeevan Mission, the Government of Assam, and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India,” the letter stated.
During this standstill period, all construction activities related to JJM schemes will be suspended until further notice. Contractors have been directed to secure any procured materials, including pipes, tanks, and steel rods, and will be solely responsible for their safety and preservation during this time.
Additionally, the directive emphasizes that projects already completed but awaiting formal handover to the Panchayat and Rural Development Department or Water User Committees must finalize all necessary documentation promptly. District authorities are also instructed to expedite the process for schemes currently in a trial phase.
