Several rural habitations in Punjab supplied contaminated water under Jal Jeevan Mission: CAG report

The audit flagged the issue as a serious lapse in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission, warning that continued supply of contaminated water could pose significant risks to public health in rural Punjab.

Several rural habitations in Punjab were supplied contaminated water under the Jal Jeevan Mission, despite clear guidelines requiring safe potable water supply, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) 2023–2024 audit report revealed.

In its report, the CAG said that the State Water and Sanitation Mission implemented water supply schemes based on contaminated water sources, even though the programme guidelines specifically require priority action in areas affected by hazardous contaminants such as arsenic and fluoride.

The audit found that 1,634 rural habitations in Punjab were affected by water contamination as of April 2020, with piped water being supplied from unsafe sources.

Among them, 815 habitations were receiving arsenic-contaminated water and 319 habitations were supplied fluoride-contaminated water, raising serious public health concerns.

Although the number of affected habitations gradually declined over the years due to partial mitigation measures, the CAG noted that 1,114 habitations were still receiving contaminated water as of April 2023.

Even by April 2024, at least 101 habitations continued to receive contaminated piped water through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs).

The audit pointed out that the JJM operational guidelines require states to prioritise water quality-affected areas and ensure safe drinking water to every rural household, especially in habitations affected by arsenic and fluoride.

However, the Punjab government failed to prioritise such areas and continued to rely on contaminated water sources for piped supply.

The state government, in its reply in May 2025, acknowledged that mitigation measures for all affected habitations were yet to be completed and said corrective steps were being taken.

However, the CAG criticised the government for not explaining why contaminated water sources were initially selected for supplying piped water and why the affected habitations were not prioritised for safe drinking water supply by March 2021, as mandated under the mission guidelines.

Shagun without marriage certificates
The CAG also pulled up Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board and the Government of Punjab for releasing financial assistance under the Shagun scheme without obtaining mandatory marriage registration certificates from beneficiaries.

According to the CAG’s 2023–24 audit report, the scheme provides financial assistance of Rs 31,000 to eligible beneficiaries for the marriage of up to two daughters or for the marriage of a female worker herself, subject to submission of a registered marriage certificate.

The audit examined records of 146 beneficiaries who received assistance during 2020–2023 in the test-checked circles.

It found that Rs 18.29 lakh was released to 59 beneficiaries, about 40 per cent of the cases, without obtaining registered marriage certificates, which is a clear violation of the scheme’s provisions.

In its response in February 2024, the Welfare Board said that certificates issued by religious institutions that solemnised the marriages were considered, citing hardships faced by beneficiaries in registering marriages.

The Board also said it would examine waiving the requirement of a registered marriage certificate.

However, the CAG termed the explanation unsatisfactory, pointing out that the submission of a registered marriage certificate was mandated by the Board itself, and no formal decision to relax the rule had been taken in any Board meeting.

The Punjab government, in its reply in September 2024, said the matter would be placed before the next Board meeting to review the requirement and to seek post-facto approval for cases where assistance was already granted without registered certificates.

Rejecting the explanation, the CAG said waiving the requirement of a registered marriage certificate is a risk prone intervention with potential for fraud, and flagged the lapse as a serious violation of the scheme guidelines.

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau.

She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.

Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.

Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.

Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.

Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.

Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1.

Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.

"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.

"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.

2.

Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.

"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.

"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.

3.

Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.

"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.

4.

Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.

"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).

Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive.

Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities.

Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.

X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ...

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