Nagpur: With no central funds received since Sept 2024, Jal Jeevan Mission (JMM) works across Maharashtra were adversely affected, and the pace of implementation slowed, the state govt on Monday informed the legislature in a written reply. JJM is a Central govt scheme launched in 2019 to provide tap water connections to every rural household in India.Cabinet minister Gulabrao Patil replied that despite the Central share remaining unavailable since Sept 2024, the state released almost Rs2,500 crore in 2024-25 and around Rs2,350 crore in 2025-26 as a special measure. This release, amounting to just over Rs4,800 crore has helped implementing agencies to keep works progressing.Patil added that the Union finance minister announced in the 2025-26 budget that JJM’s period would be extended to Dec 2028. The Central Jal Shakti Ministry’s letter dated June 16, 2025, indicated the extension was under consideration. The ministry also directed states to continue implementation from own funds until Central funds were received, noting that water is a state subject, he added.MLAs demanded to know if contractors had stopped word due to non-payment of their dues. The legislators also raised concern that even with the extended deadline, contractors who did not receive dues for completed work might refuse to resume, casting doubt on whether the remaining schemes would be finished within the new timeline. Patil confirmed that the Maharashtra State Water Supply Contractors Association, via a letter dated Dec 6, 2025, warned it would stop work if JJM-related demands were not met. He added that of 51,560 total JJM schemes in the state, 26,499 were completed and the remaining 25,061 were at various stages of progress.Patil told the legislature that total funds received under JJM from 2019-20 to date stood around Rs36,270 crore, which included state share of just over Rs20,500 crore.
