CM Stalin asks Centre to release Rs 3,112 crore Jal Jeevan Mission dues

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Friday urged the Union government to release Rs 3,112 crore pending under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to help complete drinking water projects ahead of the forthcoming summer season.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister MK Stalin welcomed the Centre’s decision to expand the Jal Jeevan Mission and said that 21,359 drinking water schemes had been taken up in Tamil Nadu under three categories — single village schemes and new and existing combined water supply schemes.

Of these, 21,168 schemes have already been completed, while the remaining projects will be finished in phases. However, the Chief Minister noted, the Union government had released only Rs 5,914 crore so far, leaving Rs 3,112 crore pending.

Stalin also pointed out that although Tamil Nadu had received an in-principle allocation of Rs 2,434 crore, the Centre had released only Rs 732 crore. He added that the State has not received any funds since September 2024 and had already spent Rs 2,550 crore from its own resources to continue the projects.

Referring to the proposal for the third phase of combined water supply schemes, the Chief Minister said the State had begun preliminary works based on earlier assurances from the Union government. However, the Centre later indicated that financial assistance could not be released without approval from the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

He warned that delays in releasing funds could affect drinking water projects in Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts.

Stalin also urged the Prime Minister to intervene and ensure the release of funds for the proposed Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, under which projects worth Rs 7,590 crore are planned in 10 districts of Tamil Nadu.