The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken up a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) on the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the state.
The court heard the matter on January 8, 2025, and directed the Secretary, Department of Public Health & Engineering, Government of Chhattisgarh, to file a fresh affidavit apprising the court of the progress made in completing the project.
The Jal Jeevan Mission is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at providing safe and clean drinking water to every rural household in the country.
The scheme is implemented by the State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) at the state level and by the District Water and Sanitation Mission at the district level.
According to the affidavit filed by the Secretary, Department of Public Health & Engineering, the state of Chhattisgarh has made significant progress in implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission.
As of January 3, 2025, approximately 75.18% of water sources have been identified or developed, and around 51% of RCC overhead tanks have been constructed.
Additionally, 12,563 solar pumps have been installed near water sources, and 2,568 villages have been certified as “Har Ghar Jal Village” under the mission.
However, the affidavit also states that the project has faced delays due to the late commencement of the scheme and the non-release of funds by the Central Government.
The state government has made efforts to get the balance funds released, but only 86% of the project has been completed so far.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal has directed the Secretary, Department of Public Health & Engineering, to file a fresh affidavit before the next date of hearing, apprising the court of the further progress made in completing the project.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on February 24, 2025.
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