The Jal Shakti Ministry’s Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has asked the Public Health Engineering Department of the Manipur government to urgently furnish a detailed report on alleged corruption and irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission and NDB-funded water schemes in Senapati district.
The directive, issued on October 10, 2025 follows a complaint filed by RTI activist R.K. Paul Chawang who on 15th September 2025 wrote to the Union Minister of Jal Shakti alleging large-scale misappropriation and irregular project execution in the district.
Citing the gravity of the allegations, the Ministry has asked the state government to “examine the matter and send a detailed report including action taken” on or before October 15, 2025. The development comes after increased scrutiny over the way water supply projects are managed in Manipur and across the Northeast.
The latest order by the government marked a recall of the mid-September revelations by the RTI activist. His complaint revealed corruption and mismanagement of projects under JJM and NDB-funded initiatives. There were also calls for accountability by civil society organizations, forcing the Ministry’s formal intervention.
The PHED has now been tasked with furnishing details on project status, actions taken against any irregularities, and corrective measures being implemented. Officials said the Ministry’s swift response underscores its concern for transparency and good governance in centrally sponsored schemes.
The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to ensure safe and adequate drinking water through household tap connections, but its implementation has faced hiccups in the interior areas of the Northeast. Developments in Senapati have become the latest example of alleged fund misuse and administrative lapses in water supply projects across the region.