Bengal signs Rs 39,000 cr Jal Jeevan Mission pact with Centre

MP, May 19, 2026, Kolkata: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday between the Bengal government and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for implementation of the Centre’s flagship Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the state. A fresh agreement worth Rs 39,000 crore was signed for the second phase of the project.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said support from the Centre would be crucial in ensuring drinking water reaches every household in Bengal.

Targeting the previous Trinamool Congress government, Adhikari alleged that despite receiving central funds, implementation of the project had been unsatisfactory.

“People of Bengal have long waited for the benefits of the Jal Jeevan Mission. The Centre released funds, but there was no proper utilisation or implementation here. Earlier, Bengal received Rs 29,000 crore under this scheme, but the ground reality is extremely poor. We will have to investigate this in the coming days,” he said.

Adhikari also criticised the alleged renaming of the scheme as ‘Jal Swapno’. “No state government has the authority to change the name of a Government of India project. The present BJP government will work transparently for the people,” he added.

Speaking at the event, Adhikari thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said Bengal had fulfilled the aspirations of a “double-engine government”.

The programme was attended by Adhikari, the Chief Secretary and other state officials from Nabanna, while Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil and officials joined virtually from New Delhi.

“Patil ji had repeatedly told us how funds were being wasted during the previous government’s tenure in Bengal. He had assured that his ministry would always stand with us,” Adhikari said.

Referring to the state’s financial condition, Adhikari said Bengal would seek central support for additional irrigation projects.

Patil claimed sewage treatment plant (STP) projects on the River Ganga had made little progress earlier due to land issues and urged the state to arrange land for rejuvenation projects.

According to sources, Adhikari also reviewed monsoon preparedness with officials of the Irrigation Department and the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).