THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Jal Jeevan Mission project to bring clean water to rural households will come to a standstill as contractors go on strike from today due to arrears of Rs 3100 crore. The project started in Kerala in 2020 is only 40 percent complete. 1500 contractors are due 19 months of arrears. 15 companies from other states, including Andhra Pradesh, had stopped work due to non-payment. There are companies that have taken up projects ranging from 500 to 2000 crores.

In many places, the construction of treatment plants and pipelines is only halfway. 51.84 acres of land in 138 locations should be acquired for the project. 9,011 crore has been spent so far out of the 44,000 crore scheme jointly implemented by the central and state governments. Of this, 4,635 crores is the central share and 4,376 crores is from the state. Out of the remaining 34,989 crores, the state share will be around 15,000 crores. Only if this is allowed will the central share be allowed. It is not easy to find such an amount in a situation where there is no money even to pay the salaries.

As per the central norms, the scheme expired in March. However, the water authority says that since it started late in Kerala it is enough to complete it in 2025.

19 months worth of money to be received

Contractors to be paid - 1500

Project amount- 44,000 crore rupees

Expenditure so far - 9,011 crore

Central share- 4,635 crores

State share- 4,376 crores

Remaining expenditure- 34,989 crores

State share in this - 15,000 crores

'The Chief Minister should intervene immediately. The project should be extended for another three years."

Varghese Kannampally,

President of Kerala Government Contractors' Association (KGCA)