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Assembly forms panel to probe Jal Jeevan Mission irregularities in Kashmir

by News Desk
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Speaker of the Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Raheem Rather, has constituted a House Committee to investigate alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Kashmir.

The move follows rising concerns over financial mismanagement and administrative lapses in the rural water supply initiative.

The committee, headed by MLA Hasnain Masoodi, held its first meeting today at the Legislative Assembly Complex, Civil Secretariat Srinagar. Masoodi was appointed as the chairman of the committee tasked with leading the inquiry into the execution of JJM projects in the region.

The meeting was attended by a cross-party group of MLAs, including Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Ali Mohammad Dar, Altaf Ahmad Wani, Ajaz Ahmad Jan, Rajiv Jasrotia, Rambir Singh Pathania, Tanveer Sadiq, Javed Riyaz Bedar, Muzafer Iqbal Khan, Rafiq Ahmad Naik, Arjun Singh Raju, and Iftikhar Ahmad.

The committee’s mandate includes examining fund disbursement mechanisms, identifying causes behind project delays, and assessing technical compliance in JJM implementation. Members will review official records, carry out site inspections, and consult relevant stakeholders before presenting their findings in a formal report to the Assembly.

The alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Jammu Kashmir were first formally flagged by senior IAS officer Ashok Kumar Parmar. Parmar, a 1992-batch officer, raised concerns about financial mismanagement and administrative lapses in the scheme.

He alleged that procurement processes were manipulated, unsuitable materials were used, and tainted officials were appointed to key positions, leading to significant irregularities in the execution of JJM projects. In his communications with authorities, Parmar highlighted discrepancies amounting to approximately ₹2,993.88 crore, particularly concerning the procurement of pipes and other materials.