Speaker constitutes 11-member panel to probe JJM irregularities in J&K

Last updated: April 10, 2025 1:53 am

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Srinagar, Nov 04 (ANI): Newly elected Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather addresses after a ruckus broke out during first day of the J&K Assembly session, in Srinagar on Monday. (ANI Photo)

Srinagar, Apr 09: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Wednesday constituted an 11-member House Committee to investigate alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the Union Territory.

The decision came in response to continuous demands from legislators during the budget session, which began on March 3.

Speaker Rather had first announced his intent to form the committee on March 22, citing strong appeals from lawmakers across party lines. The formal order was issued on the final day of the 21-day session.

“In response to repeated calls by members within the House for a thorough probe into the alleged irregularities in the execution of Jal Jeevan Mission, a House Committee has been constituted,” the Speaker said in his order.

The committee will be chaired by National Conference MLA and former High Court judge Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi. The panel includes members from a range of political parties, reflecting a multi-party consensus on the need for investigation.

Members of the committee include CPI(M) MLA M.Y. Tarigami, NC leaders Ali Mohammad Dar, Tanvir Sadiq, Javaid Riyaz (Bedar), and Arjun Singh Raju, BJP MLAs Rajiv Jasrotia and Ranbir Singh Pathania, Congress’ Iftikhar Ahmad, PDP’s Rafiq Ahmad Naik, and Muzaffar Iqbal Khan—an Independent legislator and former judge.

The Speaker said that since the House represents the will of the people, there was no issue in allowing a committee to examine such a serious matter.

“The House is a sovereign body, and if there are concerns about the implementation of an important scheme like JJM, it is appropriate to look into them,” he said.

The committee’s formation follows several allegations made during the Assembly session by both ruling and opposition members, who raised concerns over the transparency and execution of the Jal Jeevan Mission—a flagship initiative aimed at providing tap water to every rural household.

The newly-formed panel will now begin the process of investigating the alleged discrepancies and is expected to submit its findings in due course.