YADGIRI, 8 SEPT 

A corruption scandal has emerged within the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) project in Naikal village, Yadgir district, in the State aimed at providing clean drinking water to rural households. A complaint lodged by Venkatesh Basanna Chatnalli, Chief Accounts Officer at Zilla Panchayat Yadgir, highlighted significant irregularities following an inspection on 22 August, 2025.

The inspection uncovered that numerous works listed in estimates were not completed, with MDPE pipes poorly installed and many billed works allegedly unexecuted. A report from the Rural Drinking Water & Sanitation Department indicated only 50-60 per cent physical progress, contrasting with a financial progress claim of 82.5 per cent. It was also revealed that excessive payments amounting to Rs 190.39 lakh had been approved due to inflated billing.

Transpotech Consultants' report dated 4 September, 2025, confirmed only 529 of 721 FHTCs were completed, raising serious concerns regarding project execution. Accused officials include N. Srinivas, Assistant Engineer-2, who has been suspended, and Bannappa, Assistant Executive Engineer, now transferred. CEO Lavish Ordia stated, “A report will be sent to the government for disciplinary action.” A criminal case has been filed at Yadgir Town police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.