THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Twenty-five projects of Jal Jeevan Mission cannot even be tendered as contractors who have not received their dues are turning their backs. Only three and a half months are left for the project to expire. Pathanamthitta has the highest number of projects - 11. The capital district has none.

1450 crores exist as arrears of executed projects. The contractors have been constantly demanding that it be paid on time but to no avail.

The state allocates their share as soon as the central instalment is received. Contractors say that the state share is not received on time even if the Center releases the amount. 1000 contractors of the water authority have taken the tender. The authorities tried to get contractors from other states but failed because there was Jal Jeevan Mission project there as well.

The scheme implemented by the central government in 2019 started a year late in Kerala. Only 53 percent have been completed. The Center has not announced whether it has accepted or rejected Kerala's request to extend the duration of the project by one and a half years due to the late start. Projects worth Rs 40,000 crore are being implemented in Kerala.

Kerala is 30th

Kerala ranks 30th in the country in conducting the Jal Jeevan Mission. According to the plan, by March 2024, drinking water connection should be provided to 34.10 lakh more houses.

Jal Jeevan Mission

Total rural houses: 69,925,37

Present connections: 36,356,04

Connections to be given: 33,569,33

Project share (in percent)

Center – 45

State- 30

Panchayat- 15

Beneficiary- 10