In a first, Jal Shakti Ministry invites over sixty MPs to discuss concerns about its schemes: Report
New Delhi: Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil has reportedly invited over sixty Lok Sabha MPs for an informal interaction on Thursday to address concerns raised during the recent discussion on his Ministry’s Demand for Grants for 2025–26.
The meeting, which will be held at the Parliament House Annexe building, is likely to see members discussing issues related to different schemes of the Ministry including the Jal Jeevan Mission and Namami Gange, as reported by The Indian Express.
This initiative comes in the backdrop of the Centre’s decision to send 100 teams of Central Nodal Officers (CNOs) for ground inspections of Jal Jeevan Mission projects across India, amid growing reports of irregularities in multiple states.
The invited 60 MPs represent almost all political parties in Parliament and had participated in the discussion on the Ministry's Demand for Grants 2025-26, TIE quoted its source as saying.
During the discussion held on March 19, several MPs flagged alleged corruption and mismanagement in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission. Notably, NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke raised serious concerns about the status of water supply schemes in his Ahmednagar constituency in Maharashtra.
“Har Ghar Jal is also a very important scheme of our Prime Minister. A target of providing 55 litres water to every household has been set under this scheme. Around 830 schemes have been sanctioned in my constituency and 972 villages have been covered under this scheme. Officials claimed that out of 830, works of 230 schemes have been completed. But the ground reality is different and not even 50 schemes have been completed yet; a lot of corruption cases came to light and local villagers have sent me written complaints about it,” TIE quoted him as saying.
He also alleged widespread corruption in the tendering process, poor quality of work, and false billing for incomplete projects. “I have got photos and videos of these corrupt activities. I have sent a pen-drive and photocopies to the Hon’ble Minister too,” he added.
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Gill, KL Rahul resist England bowlers to take India to 174/2 on Day 4
Manchester, Jul 26 (PTI): Skipper Shubman Gill and KL Rahul made resolute fifties as India gallantly fought England bowlers to reach 174 for two at stumps on Day 4 of the fourth Test here on Saturday.
Gill (78 batting) and Rahul (87 batting) added 174 runs for the unbroken third wicket stand after India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai.
Sudharsan in the first over of the second innings itself to pacer Chris Woakes.
The visitors now trail England by 137 runs..
India started their second innings 311 runs behind England after the hosts made an imposing 669 all out in their first dig.
England extended their grip on the match through skipper Ben Stokes who made his 14th Test hundred, a 198-ball 141.
For India, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja was the most successful bowler with a four-wicket haul.
Brief scores:
India 1st innings: 358 all out & 174/2 in 63 overs (Gill batting 78, KL Rahul batting 87; Woakes 2/48).
England: 669 all out in 157.1 overs (Joe Root 150, Ben Stokes 141, Ben Duckett 94, Zak Crawley 84; Ravindra Jadeja 4/143).
