Chhattisgarh High Court Directs Jal Jeevan Mission Director to File Personal Affidavit on Rs 536.53 Crore Funds
In a significant development, the Chhattisgarh High Court has issued a directive to the Mission Director of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to submit a personal affidavit concerning the receipt and utilization of central funds amounting to Rs 536.53 crore released for the state. This order was passed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal during a hearing on Monday.
Court Hearing and Order Details
The bench was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) when it mandated the affidavit. The court has scheduled the matter for further monitoring on May 7, 2026, emphasizing the need for transparency in the handling of these substantial funds. During the proceedings, counsel for the Union of India presented a letter dated April 11, 2026, from the Under Secretary of the Government of India.
This letter highlighted that the Union Cabinet has extended the Jal Jeevan Mission until December 2028, with an increased outlay under a restructured phase known as JJM 2.0. This new phase focuses on implementing structural reforms in the rural drinking water supply sector, aiming to enhance efficiency and coverage across the country.
Central Government's Submission and Fund Release
The Centre informed the court that it had considered a proposal submitted by the Chhattisgarh government in March 2026. Following the operational guidelines of JJM 2.0, the Union government released Rs 536.53 crore to the state for the financial year 2025-26. Additionally, the Centre noted that the state may submit further proposals for fund release in the current financial year, 2026-27, to support ongoing and future projects under the mission.
The court has specifically sought clarification from the Mission Director of JJM, PHE Department, Nava Raipur, on two critical points:
- Whether the state has actually received the released amount of Rs 536.53 crore.
- The specific actions and measures taken under the Jal Jeevan Mission utilizing these funds.
This directive underscores the judiciary's role in ensuring accountability and proper utilization of public funds, particularly in schemes aimed at vital infrastructure like rural drinking water supply. The affidavit requirement is expected to provide a detailed account of the fund management, aiding in the court's oversight and the mission's effectiveness in Chhattisgarh.
