Imphal, October 7: In a strong indictment of the Manipur state government, Lok Sabha MP from Inner Manipur, Dr. Akoijam Bimol, has alleged massive irregularities and large-scale misuse of funds under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), calling it a “multi-crore scam” in the implementation of the central flagship drinking water scheme.
Addressing media persons at his residence at Keishamthong Top Leirak, Imphal West, after inaugurating several Community Water Plants (RO) installed at Khwairamband Ima Keithel under the MP Local Area Development Fund (MPLAD), Dr. Bimol said the government’s claims of success under the Jal Jeevan Mission are “nowhere near the truth.”
Citing official data from the Jal Jeevan Mantralaya presented in Parliament, the MP revealed that between August 2019 and July 2025, the Centre reported providing functional household tap water connections to over 3.59 lakh rural homes in Manipur. A total of ₹1,222 crore was utilized for this — comprising ₹1,078.82 crore as the Central share and ₹124.3 crore as the State share.
However, Dr. Bimol said his recent visits to more than 11 villages — including Nachou, Phubala, Kiyamgei, and Patsoi — told a different story. “Almost none of the households in these areas have received the promised tap water connections,” he stated. He further alleged that government records falsely list many families as beneficiaries, with some households shown multiple times under different names.
“In several villages, even the pradhans and Village Water and Sanitation Committee members are unaware of any such tap connections,” Dr. Bimol disclosed, terming the manipulation of official data as a “betrayal of the people.”
Condemning the alleged misuse of funds, the Congress MP said the issue goes beyond corruption, calling it a violation of fundamental rights. “Access to safe drinking water is part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution. Depriving citizens of this right despite huge public expenditure is a crime against the people,” he declared.
Dr. Bimol further revealed that he has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the High Court of Manipur, seeking judicial intervention to ensure a minimum of two hours of daily drinking water supply to the public. “I have raised the issue in Parliament and moved the court. But one MP alone cannot fight this battle. The people must now demand accountability,” he said, urging citizens to verify the official JJM beneficiary lists available on government portals.
The MP’s revelations have cast serious doubt on the integrity of the Jal Jeevan Mission’s execution in Manipur. If proven, the alleged discrepancies could expose systemic diversion of public funds amounting to hundreds of crores, leaving lakhs of rural families still without access to potable water.
Earlier in the day, Dr. Bimol inaugurated Community Water Plants (RO) at Khwairamband Ima Keithel. Under his MPLAD initiative, two water plants each have been installed in the three Ima Keithels, and another at the temporary market shed. He added that a total of 21 such water purification machines have been installed across 17 major markets and temple premises in Imphal.
