Question : Implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission

(a) whether the Government is aware that the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in several places in Tamil Nadu is taking place at slow pace due to the non-cooperation of the contractors and the increased cost of materials in the post Covid period;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government has any proposal to compensate these contractors for the increased cost of materials so that the mission execution can be completed without any delays and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) & (b) Since August, 2019, Government of India in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal to make provision of potable tap water supply to every rural household in the country including those of Tamil Nadu, by 2024.

In Tamil Nadu, out of 1.27 crore households, 52.26 lakh households (41.19%) have tap water connection. Since the launch of Jal Jeevan mission, Tamil Nadu has provided tap water connections to 30.50 lakh households (24.04%)despite challenges posed by Covid-19.

No such reports are received by Central Government/ the State Government about non-cooperation of contractors due to increased cost of materials in the post Covid period.

(c) State Government while implementing the schemes under JJM, had made provision for price adjustment which can be operated upon whenever the price increases in accordance with the stipulated rules and regulations to compensate the increase in cost of materials.

Any cost escalation beyond the approved cost will have to be borne by the concerned State and UTs with legislature and no additional expenditure is permitted out of Central share under JJM, as envisaged in para 7.5 of JJM Operational Guidelines.

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