Northlines Correspondent
In a significant move signalling mounting concerns over alleged large-scale irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Jammu Kashmir, the House Committee constituted to investigate the matter has now turned to the general public, whistleblowers, and stakeholders for support and information.
A public notice issued on July 4 invites citizens to submit complaints regarding non-provision of tap water connections, use of substandard materials, incomplete or abandoned projects, corrupt practices, and administrative mismanagement — all of which are said to undermine the core objectives of the national water supply scheme.
The committee was constituted in March following unanimous demand from legislators across party lines, after disturbing reports emerged during the Budget session. These included complaints of fraud, delayed projects, and substandard infrastructure under the Jal Shakti Department’s implementation of JJM.
Tanvir Sadiq, Chief Spokesperson of the ruling National Conference, described the committee’s call for public inputs as a “crucial opportunity” to ensure transparency and accountability, encouraging those with credible information to come forward and aid the investigation.
However, the probe is already running into logistical hurdles. In response to the committee’s demand for records, the Jal Shakti Department stated that providing complete documentation of the 3,253 JJM schemes would involve roughly 7.3 lakh pages per set. With the committee requesting 18 complete sets, the total volume would exceed 1.30 crore pages. The department has requested an extension, citing both time constraints and resource limitations.
The House Committee, announced by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, held its first meeting on May 22 and reconvened on June 27, as scrutiny over the Mission’s execution continues to intensify.
The public outreach suggests the committee is not only overwhelmed by bureaucratic delays but also looking to build a robust evidentiary base through citizen participation, as fears grow of a potential systemic cover-up or deep-rooted corruption within the state machinery.
