Finally funds have started streaming in from centre to Rajasthan in Jal Jeevan Mission. After a gap of two years, the central government has sanctioned Rs 486 crore to Rajasthan government as its contribution in the scheme where centre has a share of 50%. The state government has been able to receive Rs 51 crore already as reimbursement in the Mission.
Rajasthan has been able to provide tap connections to 63,62,746 households – covering 59% of the total households in the state.
“The new sanction will not only infuse fresh lease of life but also instil a new found trust in centre-state partnership in this scheme which is aimed at providing tap water to every household,” said a senior official directly involved in this Mission.
Jal Jeevan Mission, which took off well in 2019, got mired in controversies after Anti Corruption Bureau and Directorate of Enforcement sniffed corruption in the scheme. Following investigation, several senior officials including the then ACS PHED Subodh Agarwal was arrested along with the then PHED minister Mahesh Joshi, who are stranded in jail.
How Mission came back on track?
At the beginning of this fiscal, the scheme was on the tenterhooks with officials scary of verifying works and contractors terrified of penal action. The project was at standstill. But slowly, the inertia was rattled. Officials were given confidence and contractors came on board again. The mission started gaining momentum. In the first quarter itself, the state government has provided tap connections to over 45,000 households.
“We have done much more quantum of work. But these are not certified yet. We are in the process of certifying finished works so that we can get the funds released from centre and our rank also improves on the dashboard,” senior official said.
State paid more, centre less
According to data available, the state government has spent Rs 5,384.89 crore so far. Out of that the state government has spent 3,171.90 crore while the contribution of centre is Rs 2,212.99 crore.
“ We have requested central government to reimburse then extra money spent by the state government after certifying the work. We will soon get more funds which will further accelerate the work in the Mission,” the official said.
