PIL seeks SIT to probe JMM fund
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 14 2025:
Lok Sabha MP Dr Bimol Akoijam has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the intervention of the High Court of Manipur to constitute a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to probe irregularities and misuse of funds under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
The PIL, filed against the State and three other respondents, has been allowed by the High Court and has listed the matter for November 18 .
The State of Manipur is represented by the Chief Secretary.
Commissioner/Secretary Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), the Mission Director Jal Jeevan Mission, Manipur and Union of India, represented by Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, New Delhi are other respondents.
Filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, the PIL has sought the judicial intervention for ensuring effective implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Manipur.
Despite official claims of 79.6% tap-water coverage in Manipur, lakhs of citizens continue to be deprived of safe and adequate drinking water, said Dr Bimol in the PIL.
The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is a flagship mission launched in 2019 by the Government of India aimed at providing Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) to every rural household.
In August 2025, the Ministry of Jal Shakti had reported that 3.33 lakh rural households had been provided with tap-water connections in Manipur.
However, large-scale discrepancies have emerged between official reports and ground realities, said the PIL .
Independent media investigations and citizens' testimonies reveal that many "functional" taps are non-operational, dry, or never connected to any sustainable source, it said.
The PIL continued that reports from several districts - Senapati, Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Chandel, Tamenglong and others show false completion reports, corruption, and misuse of public funds.
The MP's PIL stressed that Parliamentary replies confirm that Manipur has received over Rs 1,078 crore under JIM .
Yet, there has been no transparent audit, third-party verification, or social accountability mechanism, it added.
The situation in Manipur constitutes a grave administrative failure, leading to violation of Fundamental Rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, as citizens are denied their right to clean drinking wa-ter-a basic element of the right to life, said the PIL .
In the PIL, the MP submitted that despite repeated Parliamentary interventions, representations, and media exposure, no effective remedial measures or independent field verification have been undertaken.
The State's inaction and false reporting amount to gross negligence, maladministration, and breach of public trust, it said, seeking the Court intervention.
The PIL then sought direction from the High Court to the State and other respondents to ensure functional and continuous tap-water supply of at least two hours daily to all house holds within a fixed timeframe.
It then sought the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe irregularities and misuse of funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission, and asked the Court for monitoring of the investigation to ensure accountability.
It also sought the Court to pass any other directions deemed fit "to safeguard the citizens' right to clean and adequate drinking water".
The petition is filed in the larger public interest, seeking transparency, accountability, and realization of the Constitutional right to life and dignity for the people of Manipur, said the MP in the PIL .
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