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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Congress’ Umesh Meti wins Bagalkot bypoll
Bagalkot: The Congress has secured a victory in the Bagalkot Assembly by-election, with its candidate Umesh Meti winning the seat after maintaining a lead from the first round of counting till the end.
The seat had fallen vacant following the death of sitting MLA H Y Meti. Umesh Meti, his son, has now been elected to the Assembly.
Party leaders attributed the victory to a combination of factors, including sympathy votes, the state government’s schemes, and campaign strategies led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and senior leader Satish Jarkiholi.
The Congress maintained a consistent lead throughout the counting process, eventually securing a decisive win in the constituency.
