JJM: Discrepancy between record on paper and reality in Senapati alleged
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 12 2025: In stark contrast to Government record, not a single household in all of Senapati district has functional tap water connection, a group of youths has written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The PHED Senapati Division and the Deputy Commissioner's office claim that 10 villages have achieved 100 percent completion under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).

But in reality, there is not a single functional tap water connection in all of 135 villages in Senapati district, the group has alleged in their letter.

The group led by RK Paul Chawang, a social activist from Oklong Maryram village, has appealed to the Union Finance Minister to initiate an enquiry into alleged misappropriation of funds under the JJM and NDB-Funded Water Schemes in Senapati district.

In their letter, the group claimed that their "RTI-based investigations and field verification have revealed a deep-rooted nexus between PHED officials and contractors, resulting in fabricated data, incomplete works, and total failure of water delivery to the intended beneficiaries".

The findings of their investigation as presented to the Union Finance Minister have been reproduced below--

1) Zero Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs): In all 135 villages of Senapati district, not a single household has a functional tap connection till date.

2) Contradictory official records: The PHED Senapati Division and the Deputy Commissioner's Office claim that 10 villages have achieved 100% completion under JJM.

However, ground verification reveals no such implementation, exposing the deliberate fabrication of official data.

3) Inflated data and fake beneficiaries: The JJM Dashboard (ejalshakti.gov.in) shows inflated household coverage, with fake and duplicated beneficiary names entered into official records.

In many instances, the number of households recorded exceeds the actual village population, indicating clear manipulation of data.

4) Deception of village authorities: Many village authorities and community leaders were kept in the dark or misled by contractors and PHED officials.

Projects were shown as "completed" without proper consultation or community awareness.

Villagers were fooled into believing that implementation had taken place, even when no pipelines or water connections existed.

5) Fraudulent execution of works: Contractors under PHED supervision have installed non-functional cement taps without connecting pipelines, water sources, or reservoirs.

These hollow structures remain as visible evidence of corruption and failed delivery.

6) Misuse of JJM materials and water Pipes: It has been observed that water pipes supplied under the JJM scheme are being stocked or privately utilized by a few individuals who are closely associated with contractors.

This reflects gross misuse of Government property and lack of departmental oversight.

7) Irregularities in contractor allotment and sub-contracting: The allotment of work by PHED to contractors, and the subcontracting of projects by main contractors, raises serious questions about whether proper JJM guidelines and technical standards were followed.

There is no evidence of due diligence or transparent tendering as per the Mission's framework.

8) Misuse of NDB funds: Significant funds under the New Development Bank (NDB) have been diverted or unutilized, with no visible infrastructure or operational systems in the villages that were shown as project beneficiaries.

9) RTI non-compliance by PHED Senapati: As part of our RTI-based investigation covering 30 villages, the PHED Senapati Division failed to provide 10 crucial pieces of information relating to project implementation, expenditure, and monitoring.

We officially requested the missing information on 3rd August 2025, but till date, the department has not responded.

This clear violation of RTI transparency norms further indicates an attempt to suppress evidence of wrongdoing.

10) Systematic collusion and embezzlement: The evidence collectively points to systematic collusion between PHED officials and contractors, resulting in embezzlement of crores of rupees meant for rural water supply and community welfare.

"Seeing the misery of the poor rural communities, who were fooled and deprived in the name of development, we are compelled to raise this issue before your esteemed office.

The people of Senapati District continue to struggle daily without access to clean drinking water, while false progress reports continue to be uploaded and circulated at the National level," said the group.

The group demanded the Union Finance Minister to constitute an independent third-party enquiry committee to investigate the JJM and NDB-funded water projects in Senapati district.

They urged the FM to initiate strict disciplinary and legal action against officials and contractors found responsible for data manipulation, misuse of materials, and misappropriation of public funds.

The group further urged the FM to ensure full transparency, social audits, and community participation in all future JJM and NDB projects.

Notably, a group of youths of the district led by RK Paul Chawang had gathered yesterday at Senapati under the banner "Youth, Rise for Change" to "expose" alleged misuse of funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) .

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