Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has accused the central government of deliberately withholding funds allocated to the state under the Jal Jeevan Mission, a flagship program aimed at providing tap water connections to every rural household. Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah claimed that the state has been deprived of Rs 1,200 crore in funds for the current financial year, severely impacting the implementation of water supply projects across rural Karnataka.
Allegations of Discrimination
The Chief Minister alleged that the Centre is practicing discrimination against states ruled by opposition parties, particularly Karnataka, which is governed by the Congress party. He pointed out that while neighboring states like Maharashtra and Gujarat have received their full allocations, Karnataka has been left to fend for itself. "The Jal Jeevan Mission is a central scheme, but the funds are not reaching us. This is a deliberate attempt to undermine our efforts to provide clean drinking water to every household," Siddaramaiah said.
Impact on Rural Water Supply
The delay in fund release has stalled work on over 10,000 water supply schemes in the state, affecting millions of rural residents. According to state officials, only 40% of rural households in Karnataka currently have tap water connections, far below the national average. The state government had set a target of achieving 100% coverage by 2024, but the fund crunch has made this goal increasingly difficult to achieve.
Siddaramaiah urged the central government to release the pending funds immediately, warning that the delay could lead to a water crisis in the summer months. He also announced that the state government would explore legal options if the funds were not released soon.
Political Reactions
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka dismissed the allegations, accusing Siddaramaiah of playing politics over a development issue. State BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel said the central government has been releasing funds regularly and blamed the state government for inefficiency in utilizing the allocated resources. "The Jal Jeevan Mission funds are released based on utilization certificates. If Karnataka has not received funds, it is because they have not submitted the required documents," Kateel countered.
Central Government's Stand
Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, had earlier stated that funds are allocated based on demand and project progress. He assured that no state has been deliberately denied funds and that technical issues are being resolved. However, Karnataka officials maintain that they have submitted all necessary documents and are awaiting clearance from the Centre.
The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in 2019, aims to provide tap water connections to all rural households in India by 2024. As of January 2025, the national coverage stands at 75%, but several states, including Karnataka, lag behind due to funding constraints and implementation challenges.
