Jal Jeevan Mission: States Slap ₹129 Cr Penalties on Errant Contractors

• States imposed over ₹129 crore in penalties on contractors under Jal Jeevan Mission for corruption and substandard work.
• Six states—Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Gujarat, Assam, Maharashtra, Rajasthan—took significant action against errant contractors.
• The mission aims to provide tap water to 193.6 million rural households by end of 2024; 81.36% are now covered.
• Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, and Karnataka reported recoveries totaling nearly ₹11 crore from contractors for damages and forfeitures.
• Third-party agencies verify project quality; Uttar Pradesh investigated over 14,000 complaints, taking action in 434 cases.

Why It Matters: States are cracking down on corruption and poor quality in Jal Jeevan Mission, imposing significant penalties.