SENAPATI, Nov 20: The Manipur High Court on Thursday took up a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging major irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the New Development Bank (NDB)-funded rural water supply projects in Senapati district. The petition, filed by social worker R. K. Paul of Oklong Maryram village, highlights what he describes as systemic lapses by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), resulting in persistent deprivation of basic drinking water for rural and tribal communities.
According to the PIL, substantial public funds sanctioned for various water supply schemes remain largely unutilised on the ground. Despite official dashboard entries claiming “near 100% household tap coverage,” many villages continue to face severe water scarcity. The petitioner relied on RTI replies, official data, community inspections, villagers’ testimonies, media reports and video and photographic evidence to show wide gaps between government records and the reality in habitations.
The petition identifies several villages—including Oklong Maryram, Rajaimai, Makuilongdi and those under the Oklong NDB Project area—as examples of glaring deficiencies. In these areas, pipelines and tap connections are reportedly missing, reservoirs remain unused or non-functional, and rubber pipes and plastic taps have allegedly been distributed in place of approved materials. The PIL further alleges that some project entries may have been falsified to indicate completion of work that does not exist, raising concerns of fund diversion, record manipulation and administrative negligence.
Terming these lapses a breach of public trust and prima facie criminal misconduct, the petitioner argues that the denial of safe drinking water violates fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. The PIL seeks a court-monitored intervention, including an investigation by the CBI or a Special Investigation Team, forensic and financial audits by the Central Vigilance Commission or another competent authority, disclosure of all project documents, and disciplinary or criminal action against officials and contractors involved. It also asks for a time-bound correction of unexecuted or defective works under the supervision of an independent expert body, and the appointment of a Local Commissioner or monitoring committee to report directly to the Court.
A Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice and Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh heard the matter and disposed of the PIL with specific directions. The Court instructed the Secretary (PHED), Government of Manipur, to examine the petitioner’s representation, conduct the necessary field inspections and issue a reasoned response within 12 weeks—no later than March 12, 2026. The petitioner has been given permission to approach the High Court again if the response is unsatisfactory or if required action is not taken.
Welcoming the Court’s order, the petitioner expressed hope that the directives would pave the way for greater scrutiny, transparency and timely corrective measures to ensure that rural and tribal communities in Senapati finally receive the essential drinking water they have long been denied.
