In a written reply to a question during the ongoing Maharashtra winter session of the state legislature, the government also said that the lack of funds has hampered the pace of existing projects
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Maharashtra has not received central funds for the 'Jal Jeevan Mission' scheme since October 2024 and is using state funds to complete the ongoing projects, the government said on Friday, reported news agency PTI.
In a written reply to a question during the ongoing Maharashtra winter session of the state legislature, the government also said that the lack of funds has hampered the pace of existing projects.
The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to provide functional tap water connections to every rural household in India, ensuring safe and adequate drinking water to citizens.
In the reply submitted to the legislative assembly, Water Supply and Sanitation Department Minister Gulabrao Patil said that 51,560 schemes have been sanctioned under the water programme, of which 25429 are still ongoing, reported PTI.
Patil informed the Lower House of the state legislature that the state government has given Rs 2,483.58 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 2,103.25 crore in the current fiscal year to complete the ongoing works., reported PTI.
The state government said that the pace of the works under the Jal Jeevan Mission has been impacted due to the unavailability of land, opposition by local residents, the need for permissions from different departments, and delays by contractors.
It said 67 contractors have been blacklisted and fined Rs 12.8 crore in schemes undertaken by different Zilla Parishads. In addition, the works of 188 contractors have been cancelled, reported PTI.
Show-cause notices have been served to 76 project management consultants and 17 third-party inspection authorities. Similar notices have been served to 70 junior engineers, 149 deputy engineers and 12 executive engineers, while seven engineers have been suspended, it said, reported PTI.
In case of schemes undertaken through Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran, 233 contractors have been fined Rs 55.84 crore, the reply said.
Seven districts in Maharashtra saw 14,526 deaths in three years: Govt
Meanwhile, seven districts of Maharashtra recorded 14,526 child deaths over the past three years, Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar told the legislative assembly on Friday, citing government records, reported PTI.
Abitkar shared the data in a written reply to a question raised by BJP legislator Sneha Dubey.
According to the minister, between 2022-23 and 2024-25, Pune, Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, Amravati, Akola and Yavatmal districts collectively reported 14,526 child deaths, reported PTI.
The figure includes infants and children under five admitted to government facilities, as well as cases of severe malnutrition. The minister also said that 138 infant deaths have been recorded in the tribal-dominated Palghar district.
(With inputs from PTI)
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